Romanian authorities have reportedly unraveled a potential “intimidation operation” involving a list of politicians and journalists, according to Digi24. In a statement, officials said they had stopped multiple vehicles and confiscated various weapons, leading to the questioning of 13 individuals. However, they did not immediately respond to queries from POLITICO regarding the incident.
Among those under scrutiny is Horațiu Potra, whose legal troubles include allegations of weapons possession and public incitement tied to a Facebook post. Potra’s lawyer has denied any connection between his client and another figure implicated in the unfolding events, Călin Georgescu, a controversial pro-Russia, far-right politician. The lawyer also did not provide an immediate response to POLITICO’s questions.
When confronted about his supposed links to Potra, Georgescu dismissed any association during an appearance on a Romanian news program. He claimed familiarity with Potra’s name but insisted they had never met, further denying accusations that he summoned armed individuals to Bucharest to disrupt recent protests.
This comes amidst a period of political turmoil in Romania, which last week saw its first round of the presidential election annulled by the Constitutional Court. The annulment followed allegations of Russian interference in the voting process, plunging the country into chaos.
Georgescu, known for his NATO skepticism and far-right rhetoric, had emerged as the leading candidate and was set to face reformist Elena Lasconi in a now-canceled second-round runoff. The entire election will need to be rerun. Georgescu, who did not respond to POLITICO’s request for comment, remains at the center of the unfolding political storm.
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