BUCHAREST, February 28. /TASS/. The Romanian Prosecutor General's Office has detained 18 suspects in a case in which charges were brought against former presidential candidate Calin Georgescu, Agerpres news agency reported.
The prosecutors sought that the High Court of Cassation place the detainees under pre-trial arrest for 30 days on suspicion of attempting to subvert the constitutional order, violating the regulations on storing weapons and ammunition, and incitement. They also requested arrest warrants in absentia for military instructor and mercenary Horatiu Potra, his son, and another family member.
Potra left Romania before his house was searched on February 26 and is now in Dubai. During the search, a significant quantity of weapons, cash, and gold bars were discovered. The case is being examined by the highest court of Romania, as it also involves a judge or prosecutor.
In total, about 50 searches were conducted in five counties of Romania on February 26. Georgescu was also detained in the framework of this case, and the Prosecutor General's Office charged him of inciting actions against the constitutional order, providing false information, and glorifying people responsible for genocide and war crimes. He was placed under judicial supervision for 60 days and cannot leave the country.
Romania on November 24 held the first round of presidential elections, where Georgescu received the most votes. On December 6, the Constitutional Court invalidated the entire electoral process and ruled to hold the elections again. This decision was made after Romanian intelligence agencies declassified documents, which revealed, in particular, that Georgescu had illegally financed his election campaign. The government set the dates for the re-holding of the presidential polls on May 4 and 18.