Romania Keeps Far-Right Leader in Custody
A Bucharest court extended Calin Georgescu's detention by 30 days, reversing a prior order for house arrest amid a 1.1 million euro fraud probe.
By Layla Petrov ·
The Bucharest Court of Appeal reversed a lower court decision on Wednesday, ordering far-right politician Calin Georgescu to remain in police custody for an additional 30 days. The ruling keeps the former presidential frontrunner behind bars until November 27, overriding an earlier mandate that would have shifted him to house arrest on October 13.
The legal battle stems from a fraud investigation involving a sum of 1.1 million euros, equivalent to 1.2 million dollars. Prosecutors allege that Georgescu and two other suspects convinced a Romanian businessman to transfer the funds. They reportedly told him they could secure a credit line of up to 15 million dollars from a foreign financial institution. Georgescu has denied any wrongdoing, labeling the ongoing probe as politically motivated.
Georgescu’s legal troubles intersect with his complex political history. He won the most votes in the first round of Romania’s 2024 presidential election in November. However, the results and the subsequent second round were annulled due to allegations of Russian interference, a claim Moscow rejected. He was barred from standing again, and pro-European centrist Nicusor Dan won the rerun election in May 2025.
Supporters have reacted with force to the detention. Hundreds protested the investigation, and reports indicate some groups entered the Bucharest court building on Wednesday to demand his release. George Simion, leader of the hard-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians, stated that the initial lower court ruling demonstrated that protesters were being heard. Other far-right politicians have vowed to stand by Georgescu as political uncertainty persists.
Georgescu faces charges in a separate case as well. Prosecutors accuse him of instigating violence after the 2024 ballot was annulled. They also allege he disseminated false information, attempted to disrupt national security, and promoted 1930s fascist leaders. The current detention order is part of the broader criminal probe into the alleged fraud.
The political landscape in Romania remains in flux. Parliament approved a government proposed by pro-European Luca Niculescu this month. Niculescu became prime minister after a months-long deadlock that followed the collapse of the previous coalition in May. The new administration takes office while Georgescu awaits trial in police custody.
