Romanian ex-presidential candidate Călin Georgescu formally charged following televised citation of a fascist leader's words
Călin Georgescu, the far-right, Russia-friendly candidate who emerged victorious in last year's presidential elections, has now been officially designated as a defendant in a criminal trial in Romania. The change in his legal status follows a television appearance where he quoted Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, the leader of the fascist Legionary Movement.
Prosecutors accuse Georgescu of promoting Legionary propaganda, which includes publicly endorsing fascist, legionary, racist, or xenophobic ideas and the cult of persons guilty of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. These offenses are punishable by imprisonment from 3 months to 3 years and the deprivation of certain rights.
The trial will be held at the Bucharest District 1 Court, marking the conclusion of the criminal investigation. Georgescu has remained under preventive judicial control since February 2025. The indictment also highlights Georgescu's alignment with neo-legionary circles and his repeated promotion of fascist and xenophobic ideologies between June 2020 and May 2025, including a notable event in October 2021 where he performed the fascist legionary salute during a protest.
Despite his legal troubles, Georgescu continues to express faith in the Romanian people, stating that he sees and feels them. He also believes that neoliberal structures have essentially taken over people's lives. However, he declined to give a statement during his appearance at the prosecutor's office.
It is unclear what specific laws or regulations Georgescu is being charged with or what the potential penalties for his actions could be. It is also not specified if Georgescu has been charged with any specific offenses related to his belief that America and President Trump could help bring down neocolonial regimes, a belief he has maintained.
In a recent development, Georgescu submitted his candidacy for the repeat elections of May 2025 but was barred from running again. His family, who have been through a tumultuous period, now need "peace and especially health."
[1] Romania Insider, "Former Romanian Presidential Candidate Calin Georgescu Changed from Suspect to Defendant", [link](https://romania-insider.com/calin-georgescu-changed-from-suspect-to-defendant/)
[2] Adevarul, "Calin Georgescu: Prosecutors Changed My Legal Status to Defendant", [link](https://adevarul.ro/stiri/politica/calin-georgescu-procurori-schimbau-starea-mea-legala-in-defendant-1_61166548)
[3] Ziarul Financiar, "Calin Georgescu: Prosecutors Changed My Legal Status to Defendant", [link](https://www.ziarulfinanciar.ro/stiri/politica/calin-georgescu-procurori-schimbau-starea-mea-legala-in-defendant-1_61166548)
- The upcoming trial of Călin Georgescu, a former presidential candidate in Romania, will likely be a topic of general news, politics, and crime-and-justice discussions, given his controversial views and the criminal charges he faces for promoting Legionary propaganda.
- As the trial progresses, it is expected that media outlets covering war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news will provide updates on Georgescu's legal proceedings, given his apparent alignment with neo-legionary circles and the promotion of fascist and xenophobic ideologies in the past.
