Romanian far-right former presidential candidate Calin Georgescu has been charged with attempting to stage a coup after the first round of the presidential election was annulled last December.
Horatiu Potra, a former French legionnaire and militia chief in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and 20 other people were also charged.
The case stems from a planned raid on the Romanian capital Bucharest on December 8, which police managed to thwart.
Romanian prosecutors have characterized the plot as an attack on Romania's constitutional order, citing involvement from Georgescu, Potra, and their associates, alongside alleged foreign intelligence connections.
Potra and others have been charged with instigating the coup, while Georgescu is accused of conspiring with Potra. Prosecutors stated that Georgescu convened with Potra and other group members shortly after his election victory was annulled.
Initially denying the meeting took place, Georgescu later acknowledged it after photographs surfaced in the media, though he maintains that discussions of an insurrection did not occur.
In late February, police conducted raids across several locations in Romania, uncovering a stockpile of weapons, gold, and cash, allegedly linked to Potra's group's violent takeover plans.
Potra is reportedly outside the country and may seek asylum in Russia.
Georgescu, 63, had unexpectedly led in the first round of Romania's presidential election in November. However, this result was annulled by the Constitutional Court just days before the second round due to allegations of foreign interference, especially from Russia.
Romanian intelligence services indicated that his popularity on social media was significantly bolstered by a coordinated influence campaign from abroad, aimed at meddling with the election outcome.
Prosecutor general Florenta described the canceled election results as a product of a 'hybrid war' orchestrated by Russia, alleging coinciding cyber-attacks and misinformation campaigns designed to destabilize the Romanian political landscape.
Over 2,000 Facebook pages reportedly amplified pro-Georgescu content, alongside TikTok networks of more than 20,000 automated accounts boosting his campaign before the vote.
After Georgescu was barred from re-entering the race, his ally George Simion, head of the far-right AUR party, substituted for him in a May rerun of the election.
Although Simion saw an initial victory in the first round, he ultimately lost to Nicusor Dan, the pro-EU liberal mayor of Bucharest, in the runoff.
Georgescu has yet to release a statement regarding the charges, although he has accused the Romanian authorities of governance through 'deceit, intrigue and division' this month.
President Dan stated that the prosecutors' findings validate the idea of systematic disinformation campaigns by Russia aiming to influence the 2024 elections.
No trial date has been set for Georgescu, but it may begin in early 2026.
