Romanian court keeps Georgescu in custody for 30 more days

A Romanian court extended the pre-trial detention of far-right politician Calin Georgescu by 30 days on Wednesday. The decision keeps him in police custody until November 27. Prosecutors are investigating an alleged fraud involving 1.1 million euros, or about 1.2 million dollars.

The Bucharest Court of Appeal issued the ruling. It reversed an October 13 decision by a lower court. That earlier order had moved Georgescu from police custody to house arrest for 30 days. He remained in custody after the appeal.

Prosecutors say Georgescu and two other suspects persuaded a Romanian businessman to hand over the 1.1 million euros. They allegedly told him they could secure a credit line of up to 15 million euros, or 16.7 million dollars, from a foreign financial institution. Georgescu denies wrongdoing. He calls the probe politically motivated.

Hundreds of supporters protested the investigation. Media reports say some groups entered the Bucharest court building on Wednesday to demand his release. George Simion, leader of the hard-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians, said the lower court's initial ruling showed protesters were being heard.

Georgescu won the most votes in the first round of Romania's 2024 presidential election in November. The results and second round were scrapped after allegations of Russian interference. Moscow denied interfering in the vote. He was barred from standing again. The rerun election in May 2025 was won by pro-European centrist Nicusor Dan.

In a separate case, prosecutors accuse Georgescu of instigating violence after the ballot was annulled. They also allege he disseminated false information, attempted to disrupt national security, and promoted 1930s fascist leaders. Other far-right politicians have vowed to stand by him as political uncertainty continues.

Parliament approved a government proposed by pro-European Luca Niculescu this month. Niculescu became prime minister after months of deadlock. This followed the collapse of the previous coalition in May.