Detention and search operations

On 21 September 2026, Romanian anti-organized crime prosecutors from DIICOT intercepted former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu in traffic and detained him for 24 hours. Investigators conducted five search warrants across Bucharest and Ilfov County, targeting properties in Mogoșoaia, Ciolpani, and Buftea, including Georgescu's residence. Police seized 4,000 euros in cash from his home following eight hours of property searches. Georgescu underwent more than two hours of questioning at DIICOT headquarters, where he exercised his right to remain silent. He exited the building in handcuffs and raised his arms before a crowd of sovereigntist supporters and Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) lawmakers gathered outside.

The alleged credit scheme

The criminal case centers on accusations of aggravated fraud and establishing an organized criminal group involving Georgescu, businessman Ionel Rusen, and an Italian citizen. The investigation stems from a January 2024 complaint by Buzău businessman Răzvan Leu, a co-owner of the Dacia Romanian Dining restaurant. Prosecutors state that between September 2021 and 2022, the group promised Leu access to a 6 million euro foreign credit line in exchange for an upfront guarantee, later demanding more money for a 15 million euro loan. Leu transferred 1.1 million euros, of which 100,000 euros were allegedly earmarked for Georgescu's political campaign, but received only falsified payment orders in return. The connection was facilitated by Ion Negoescu, a former officer at the DGPI internal intelligence service who later became an Orthodox priest and Leu's godfather.

Leu outlined his decision to contact law enforcement after years of attempting to recover the funds.

“I was defrauded of the sum of 1,100,000 euros, given by me as an advance for a foreign loan of 6,000,000 euros, a credit line intended for business investments. The loan was supposed to be granted by a financial company recommended and guaranteed by Călin Georgescu and his business partners.”

Promised initial loan6

Promised expanded loan15

Alleged victim loss1.1

Target Tuscany villa price1.2

Promised initial loan

6 €M

Promised expanded loan

15 €M

Alleged victim loss

1.1 €M

Target Tuscany villa price

1.2 €M

Data from the article text

Wiretaps and relocation plans

Case wiretaps revealed that in spring 2025, Georgescu asked Rusen to identify an isolated 1.2 million euro villa in Tuscany, Italy. The transcripts indicate Georgescu sought a secluded estate with land and separate quarters for domestic staff. Investigators recorded Georgescu stating that he planned to relocate to Italy with his family and close associates once existing judicial control measures were lifted. He suggested in the recordings that external financial support would be used to complete the real estate purchase. The detention marks the first time Georgescu has been held in custody, despite previous indictments for legionary propaganda and an attempted coup d'état.

Political reactions in Bucharest

The detention drew responses across the Romanian political landscape. Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader Sorin Grindeanu noted that authorities should have scrutinized Georgescu's finances when he took first place in the annulled November 2024 presidential first round with nearly 23% of the vote. Grindeanu addressed Georgescu's political prospects during a television interview.

“If things turn out to be as DIICOT prosecutors say and as was reported in the press, obviously yes. But I refrain from giving verdicts. But if he is proven guilty, Călin Georgescu is obviously out of politics.”

Outside the prosecutor's office, dozens of sovereigntist demonstrators, including figures involved in agricultural protests in Piața Victoriei, held demonstrations that led to confrontations with gendarmes.