Romanian court releases former presidential candidate Georgescu under judicial control — Anadolu Agency
The Bucharest Tribunal on September 22 released former Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu from custody and placed him under judicial control in a case involving alleged fraud. The court rejected prosecutors’ request to keep Georgescu and another defendant, Ionel Rusen, in custody for 30 days, Anadolu Agency reports.
Restrictions for Georgescu
Under the terms of judicial control, Georgescu is prohibited from leaving Romania and must report regularly to the police. The hearing was held behind closed doors; dozens of the politician’s supporters gathered outside the courthouse, chanting: “We will not give up!”
Prosecutors from Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism, DIICOT, detained Georgescu for 24 hours on September 21. The investigation concerns organized crime and alleged fraud amounting to about €1.1 million.
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The investigation’s version
According to DIICOT, three people formed an organized criminal group in September 2021 that operated mainly in Romania and the United Kingdom. Investigators believe the scheme was linked to promises of securing foreign financing. The investigation involves an entrepreneur who, according to prosecutors, lost about €1.1 million after promises of being granted access to financing.
Law enforcement officers conducted searches at five locations in Bucharest and nearby areas, including Georgescu’s home in Mogoșoaia. During questioning, he exercised his right to remain silent, judicial sources told the Romanian agency Agerpres.
Political context
Georgescu, running as an independent candidate, unexpectedly won the first round of Romania’s 2024 presidential election, receiving about 23% of the vote. The Constitutional Court subsequently annulled the election following intelligence reports of alleged campaign irregularities and foreign interference. Georgescu was later barred from the rerun presidential election in 2025. The investigation into the alleged fraud case is ongoing.
