Romanian Court Orders Georgescu Held 30 Days in Fraud Probe

A Romanian appeals court on Tuesday ordered Calin Georgescu, the former politician who led the first round of the country's annulled 2024 presidential election, to be held in pretrial detention for 30 days in a fraud investigation.

The ruling reversed a decision issued by a lower court last week and granted prosecutors' original request for the detention period.

Georgescu was first taken into custody for 24 hours after Romania's anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, carried out raids at five locations on Sept. 21, including at his home. The operation formed part of a probe into alleged fraud and the establishment of an organized criminal group.

According to DIICOT, Georgescu and two other men set up a group in 2021 that defrauded a businessman from Buzau County of 1.1 million euros. The funds were allegedly obtained on the false premise that they would secure access to foreign credit worth up to 15 million euros, or about $17 million. The agency said the group operated in both Romania and the United Kingdom.

During the searches, investigators said they seized jamming devices, data storage equipment and identity documents they suspected were forged. Georgescu has denied any wrongdoing.

He became a polarizing figure in Romanian politics after his unexpected strong showing in the 2024 presidential race. Running as an independent, he declared no campaign funding. The Constitutional Court annulled the first-round results after allegations surfaced that Russia had coordinated a campaign to promote him. Georgescu described the court's move as an "officialized coup" and rejected the accusations.

Before the vote, he had expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and cast doubt on Ukraine's statehood, while maintaining that he is not pro-Russian. Moscow denied interfering in Romania's election.

After the annulment, prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into Georgescu covering allegations that included campaign finance violations, support for fascist groups, and false statements regarding campaign funding and asset disclosures. He was later barred from the election rerun, held in May last year, which was won by Nicusor Dan.