Romanian prosecutors detain Georgescu in fraud probe

Romanian anti-organized crime prosecutors (DIICOT) detained former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu on Monday morning during a traffic stop near Bucharest. Businessman Ionel Rusen was also taken into custody as part of the same operation.

Prosecutors executed five search warrants across Bucharest, Mogoșoaia, Ciolpani, and Buftea. The investigation centers on alleged fraud totaling 1.1 million euros and the formation of an organized crime group dating back to September 2021.

“Any of us could be next. Stop the abuses! Romania is a dictatorship!!!!”

According to DIICOT, three individuals — two Romanians and one Italian citizen — formed a group promising loans and credit lines to businessmen in exchange for substantial financial guarantees. The promised financing never materialized after the guarantees were paid.

The case originates from a 2024 criminal complaint filed by businessman Răzvan Leu from Buzău. Leu alleges he transferred approximately 1.1 million euros as a guarantee for a 6 million euro credit line after being introduced to Rusen and Italian national Massimiliano Arena by Georgescu in 2021.

Documents indicate the guarantee funds were routed through a Migom Bank account held at Swiss institution Incore Bank AG. AUR party leader George Simion condemned the detention on Facebook, calling it an abuse and claiming "Romania is a dictatorship."

Supporters gathered outside DIICOT headquarters chanting "Arrest us all!" and "Freedom for Călin!". The investigation remains ongoing.