Romanian court orders detention of ex-presidential candidate over fraud probe

Key facts

• Calin Georgescu, a pro-Russian former presidential candidate, was ordered detained for 30 days.
• The detention is pending a criminal investigation into fraud allegations.
• Prosecutors claim Georgescu and two others defrauded a businessman of €1.1 million.
• The businessman was allegedly told they could help him secure a credit line of up to €15 million.
• Georgescu denies wrongdoing in this case and two other ongoing trials.
• Romania canceled its 2024 presidential election due to suspected Russian interference favoring Georgescu.

BUCHAREST, Sept 29 (Reuters) - A Romanian court ordered the detention of Calin Georgescu, a pro-Russian former frontrunner in a cancelled 2024 presidential election, for 30 days pending a criminal investigation for fraud. Prosecutors allege Georgescu and two other suspects persuaded a Romanian businessman to give them €1.1 million by falsely promising they could help him obtain a credit line of up to €15 million from a foreign financial institution.

Georgescu denies wrongdoing. The ruling by the Bucharest Court of Appeals is final and overturns an earlier decision that had placed him under judicial control, a lighter preventative measure. Hundreds of Georgescu supporters gathered outside the courthouse in Bucharest on Tuesday.

Romania, a member of NATO and the EU, canceled its 2024 presidential election over suspected Russian interference aimed at favoring Georgescu, a vocal critic of NATO and Western support for Ukraine. Romanian prosecutors stated that Moscow attempted to influence the vote through tactics including cyberattacks and disinformation, which Russia has denied. The election was re-run in May 2025 and won by Nicusor Dan.

Georgescu, who is banned from running again, is already on trial in two separate cases: one for attempting to disrupt national security after the election cancellation, and another for promoting Romania's illegal 1930s fascist leaders. He denies all charges.