Romanian far-right former presidential candidate Calin Georgescu has been charged with attempting to stage a coup after the first round of the presidential election was annulled last December.
Horatiu Potra, a former French legionnaire and militia chief in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and 20 other people were also charged.
The case rests on a planned raid on the Romanian capital Bucharest on 8 December, which police foiled.
Romanian prosecutors describe a plot targeting Romania's constitutional order, involving Georgescu, Potra, their group, and alleged foreign intelligence links.
Potra and others have been charged with instigating the coup, while Georgescu is accused of conspiring with Potra. Prosecutors allege that Georgescu met Potra and other members of his group at a horse farm in December, soon after Georgescu's victory was annulled.
Georgescu initially denied that the meeting took place, but later admitted it after photographs were published in Romanian media. However, he denies discussing plans to stage an insurrection.
In late February, police raided several locations in Romania, uncovering a cache of weapons, gold, and cash, alleging that Potra's group was planning a violent power grab.
Prosecutors state that Potra is currently not in the country and may seek asylum in Russia.
Georgescu, 63, had come a surprise first in the first round of Romania's presidential election last November, which was annulled by the Constitutional Court just days before the second round due to allegations of Russian interference.
Romanian intelligence services suggested that his presence and popularity on social media had been boosted by a mass influence operation conducted from abroad to sway the election results.
At a press conference, prosecutor general Florenta described the annulled 2024 election as 'the result of a hybrid war orchestrated by Russia,' alleging that concurrent cyberattacks on public institutions coincided with an online disinformation campaign involving troll farms and AI-generated content.
Prosecutors reported that over 2,000 Facebook pages amplified pro-Georgescu messaging, while TikTok networks of over 20,000 automated accounts bolstered his campaign prior to the vote.
After Georgescu was barred from registering as a candidate, his ally George Simion, the leader of the far-right AUR party, stood in his place in the May rerun, where Simion won a dramatic first-round victory but was eventually bested by Nicusor Dan, Bucharest's liberal, pro-EU mayor, in the runoff.
Georgescu has not commented on the charges yet, but recently accused Romanian authorities of ruling through 'deceit, intrigue, and division.' President Dan stated that the prosecutors' report proves that Russia has executed 'systematic disinformation' in Romania and attempted to influence the 2024 election.
A date for Georgescu's trial has yet to be established, but it could begin in early 2026.
