Romania’s High Court clears trial of far-right ex-candidate Georgescu and mercenary leader Potra
Romania’s High Court of Cassation and Justice decided on Thursday, 6 August, that the trial in which far-right former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu and mercenary leader Horațiu Potra, along with 20 other defendants, were accused of actions against the constitutional order may begin.
As part of the ruling, the Court rejected the appeals filed both by the Public Ministry and by the defendants in the preliminary chamber procedure. Instead, it upheld the April 2 decision of the Bucharest Court of Appeal, allowing the trial to start, according to Libertatea.
During the procedure, the case was resumed after a change in the composition of the judicial panel, and the ruling was postponed several times.
Georgescu is accused of complicity in the attempt to commit acts against the constitutional order and of communicating false information in a continuing manner. Potra, in turn, is accused of attempting to commit actions against the constitutional order, non-compliance with the weapons and ammunition regime, and non-compliance with the explosives regime. His son and nephew, Dorian Potra and Alexandru Potra, were also sent to trial for attempting to commit actions against the constitutional order.
Prosecutors claim that after the decision of the Constitutional Court of December 6, 2024, to annul the presidential elections, Călin Georgescu and Horațiu Potra met at an equestrian complex in Ciolpani, Ilfov County. During that meeting, a plan was allegedly discussed through which persons with military training from Horațiu Potra’s entourage were to carry out violent actions aimed at diverting public demonstrations.
Afterwards, according to prosecutors, Horațiu Potra allegedly organized a paramilitary group made up of 21 people, which was supposed to travel to Bucharest to participate in protests that would allegedly be transformed into violent actions. Before they could arrive, however, they were stopped by police on the night of December 7 to 8. Following the checks, bladed weapons, pistols, pepper sprays, telescopic batons, pyrotechnic materials and other objects considered dangerous were discovered.
Prosecutors claim that the defendants’ actions created a state of danger for the constitutional order and national security.
Călin Georgescu has also been sent to trial in a second case, in which he is accused of Legionary propaganda and the public promotion of persons convicted of genocide and war crimes.
With regards Horațiu Potra, the High Court decided in June 2026 to replace preventive detention with house arrest. His son and nephew had previously been placed under judicial control.
(Photo source: Inquam Photos / Octav Ganea)
