Court maintains pre-trial detention for the Russian-backed politician's financier, Georgescu
Chronicles from Romania:
Bogdan Peschir, the infamous alleged "King of TikTok," continues his stint in custody as investigations into voter corruption during the 2024 electoral campaign for pro-Russian candidate Călin Georgescu, intensify. A recent appeal was denied, as reported by G4Media.
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In late March 2025, Peschir found himself behind bars for a month, following a raid on his residence related to this criminal case. Prior to this, he was detained on March 20, and later, heard at the Prosecutor's Office of the High Court of Cassation and Justice.
Peschir, accused of using the TikRok application to dish out over USD 900,000 in gifts to individuals to sway their votes in favor of Georgescu, allegedly acted as the financier for his electoral campaign.
Exiting the hearings, his counsel declared that Peschir feels wronged due to perceived discrimination of his political views. When questioned about the origins of his client's wealth, the lawyer revealed he has been involved in the cryptocurrency market for around seven years.
(Photo: George Calin/ Inquam Photos)
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As the intrigue unfolds,ogdan Peschir's case raises significant questions about voter manipulation and social media influence in Romanian politics, with broader implications for pro-Russian narratives. Stay tuned for updates on this high-stakes trial, which may serve as a precedent for regulating electoral interference!
(Encenrichment Data): This ongoing drama highlights substantial developments in Romania's electoral scandal linked to pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu:
- Arrest and Charges: Peschir, known for his dominance on TikTok, was arrested in March 2025 for "corruption of voters through electronic means of communication". Prosecutors allege he paid over $900,000 to 250+ influencers to promote Georgescu, whose 2024 campaign victory was annulled due to voter manipulation.
- Defense Claims: Peschir's lawyers argue the payments were "not explicitly electoral," instead framing them as support for influencers' creative work, such as promoting manele music.
- Election Repercussions: The scandal precipitated Romania's May 2025 election rerun, with stringent rules requiring political ads to include codes identifying sponsors and candidates. TikTok has since tightened its anti-misinformation measures for these elections.
- Influencer Testimony: Musician Lucian Elgin admitted receiving thousands from Peschir but denied endorsing Georgescu, underscoring ambiguities linking payments to specific electoral content.
This case underscores broader concerns about social media manipulation in Romanian politics, particularly involving pro-Russian narratives. Peschir's trial could set precedents for regulating influencer-driven electoral interference.
- The prosecutor is investigating Bogdan Peschir, often referred to as the "King of TikTok," for voter corruption in the 2024 pro-Russian candidate Călin Georgescu's election campaign.
- Georgescu's PR campaign financier, Bogdan Peschir, who is currently in custody, claims to feel wronged due to perceived discrimination of his political views.
- Peschir's lawyer revealed that his client has been involved in the cryptocurrency market for approximately seven years, which could potentially explain the origins of his wealth.
- The trial of Bogdan Peschir, who is accused of using the TikRok application to pay over $900,000 to influencers to sway their votes for Georgescu, could serve as a precedent for regulating electoral interference in social media politics and crime-and-justice news.
