Several photos of former presidential candidate Calin Georgescu sitting at a table with mercenary and a neo-legionnaire he claimed not to know have been published in the Romanian media.
Images show Mr. Georgescu, dressed in a dark jacket and red trousers sitting at a table with Horatiu Potra and Eugen Sechila, Antena 3 CNN reported, broadcasting pictures they said were from Saturday.
The images are significant as Mr. Georgescu claimed he was not linked to the pair and he does not personally know Horațiu Potra who is currently in police custody.
According to Antena 3 CNN, the three met on December 7 at a ranch in Ciolpani north of Bucharest. Hours later police intercepted, questioned and later detained Potra while he was driving to the capital. They found a stash of weapons and money in his car.
Another 20 were also intercepted as they drove to capital, reportedly with plans to intimidate journalists and politicians who had been critical of Georgescu. On Monday, police raided houses and properties in and near the capital and in Sibiu connected to the case and found weapons, money and surveillance equipment. A court will decide on Tuesday whether to arrest Potra.
Romania’s Constitutional Court canceled the presidential runoff on Friday after intelligence files were published that Russia had interfered in the first round of presidential elections. Mr. Georgescu, a EU and NATO skeptic who was an outsider, stunned supporters and opponents alike by winning the first round.
The Syrian owner of the farm, who police questioned on Monday, confirmed the meeting according to Antena 3 CNN.
Mr. Georgescu acknowledged that he’d “recently” visited the stud farm and said he “trusted” his military men who form his entourage from the Foreign Legion. He said the photos were “old” and protested about a smear campaign against him. He said Mr. Potra was not a close friend, Realitatea TV reported.
