Far-right Romanian politician detained in fraud probe

BUCHAREST:

Romanian police on Tuesday arrested far-right politician Calin Georgescu, a former presidential candidate, after a court ordered his 30-day detention in a one-million-euro ($1.13 million) fraud investigation.

The 64-year-old -- who is already standing trial for fomenting violence following the 2024 presidential election -- is accused of setting up an organised criminal organisation to scam victims.

The Bucharest Court of Appeal ruled Georgescu could be held in pre-trial detention for a month, overturning a lower court decision to free him.

Local media showed video images of police escorting Georgescu from his residence, with handcuffs on his wrists.

Dozens of supporters gathered outside the Bucharest building to where police took him, local television reported.

Supporters had also greeted him at court for the appeal hearing earlier in the day.

Georgescu is accused of setting up a criminal organisation which defrauded a victim of more than 1.1 million euros after falsely promising them business loans from foreign financial institutions.

He has claimed innocence and alleged the investigations are "politically motivated".

Several other far-right politicians have voiced support for Georgescu, vowing to stand by him "through all the attacks he faces".

A previously little-known politician, Georgescu won most ballots in the first round of voting for the presidential election in November 2024. AFP