Far-right nationalist presidential candidate Călin Georgescu is facing another scandal after photos emerged of him with Horațiu Potra, a private military contractor, investigated on weapons and ammunition charges as well as public incitement to illegal gatherings.
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Romania's political scene faces another scandal, after photos emerged showing far-right nationalist politician Călin Georgescu with a private military contractor recently apprehended on allegations of fomenting protests.
Georgescu came out on top in the first round of Romania's recent presidential elections - which the country's constitutional court annulled following the declassification of intelligence reports showing Russian involvement in influencing voters through social media to support Georgescu.
Several older photos emerged picturing Georgescu with Horațiu Potra, owner of a private military company and former mercenary in the French Foreign Legion.
Romanian police recently detained Potra along with 20 other people. Authorities found dozens of edged weapons, two pistols and considerable sums of money in their vehicles.
Local media report that sources close to the investigation allege Potra had planned an act of intimidation, having lists with the names of politicians and journalists on them.
Despite the photos showing the two together, Georgescu had previously denied knowing the former mercenary. Georgescu has since confirmed the authenticity of the images but claimed he did not remember the meeting as it was a long time ago.
Potra, who was allegedly plotting to launch large-scale demonstrations in favour of Georgescu, was released from detention by Romanian authorities on Friday. He is currently being investigated on weapons and ammunition charges, as well as public incitement to illegal gatherings.
"The defendants, together with other people, travelled to Bucharest, having on them bladed weapons, firearms as well as large sums of money, laptops, storage media and a drone," Romanian Chief Prosecutor Maria Florentina Ilioiu said.
Ilioiu said these items "were allegedly to be used to instigate people to commit crimes at an unauthorised public meeting, and to reward them."
Potra's defence lawyers say the charges have nothing to do with Georgescu.