OMM Redaksiyası
A Romanian court on Tuesday ordered the conditional release of former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu in a fraud case, broadcaster Digi24 reported.
The Bucharest Tribunal rejected prosecutors’ request to keep Georgescu and co-defendant Ionel Rusen in custody for 30 days. Both were instead placed under judicial control.
Georgescu barred from leaving Romania
Under the court order, Georgescu cannot leave Romania and must report regularly to police. The case remains under investigation.
Prosecutors from Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism detained Georgescu for 24 hours on Monday as part of an investigation into organized crime and alleged fraud involving €1.1 million ($1.3 million).
According to the agency, three people allegedly formed an organized criminal group in September 2021 and operated mainly in Romania and the United Kingdom as part of a scheme involving promises of foreign financing.
The investigation concerns a businessman who allegedly lost about €1.1 million after being promised access to financing. Investigators searched five locations in Bucharest and surrounding areas, including Georgescu’s home in Mogosoaia.
Georgescu exercised his right to remain silent during questioning, according to judicial sources cited by Romanian news agency Agerpres.
Georgescu’s presidential campaign
Dozens of supporters gathered outside the courthouse during Tuesday’s closed-door hearing, chanting, “We do not give up!”, Digi24 reported.
Running as an independent, Georgescu unexpectedly won the first round of Romania’s 2024 presidential election with about 23% of the vote.
The Constitutional Court later annulled the election after intelligence reports alleged campaign irregularities and foreign interference. Georgescu was subsequently barred from standing in the repeat election in 2025.
