EU Country Arrests Six Individuals for Suspected Pro-Russia Treason Scheme
Romanian authorities allege that the group aimed to undermine the constitutional order and remove Bucharest from NATO. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Romanian authorities have detained six individuals on treason charges for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government with Russian support. This incident marks a significant escalation in tensions between Bucharest and Moscow, particularly following the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Romania related to this case.
A specialized unit known as DIICOT, which focuses on combatting organized crime, alongside Romania’s intelligence service, the SRI, reported that a group named Vlad the Impaler Command aimed to destabilize the country's constitutional order and remove Romania from NATO.
Vlad the Impaler, a historical figure from the medieval period in what is now Romania, is notorious for his brutal military strategies and severe punishments meted out to his adversaries.
The SRI stated that members of this group, which includes a 101-year-old retired general, “actively requested support from Russian Federation Embassy officials.”
DIICOT revealed that this “organized criminal group” had recruited followers online and disseminated video materials.
In response to these developments, Bucharest expelled two Russian diplomats on Wednesday. Moscow has refuted claims of interference in Romania's internal matters and has promised to retaliate against the expulsions.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized Bucharest’s “obsession” with identifying a “Russian trace” in its “internal political squabbles,” accusing the Romanian government of Russophobia and a continual quest for escalation.
Last year, Romania alleged Russian interference in its presidential elections when Calin Georgescu, a NATO and EU critic who opposed aid to Ukraine, unexpectedly won the first round of the national presidential election. However, the vote was swiftly annulled by Romania’s Constitutional Court due to alleged campaign funding irregularities.
Last week, as Georgescu prepared to file his candidacy for a new election, he was arrested and charged with six criminal offenses, including alleged “voter bribery,” “promoting fascist, racist, or xenophobic ideologies,” and incitement to actions against the constitutional order.
Georgescu has proclaimed his innocence and sought assistance from US President Donald Trump, describing the actions against him as part of a politically motivated campaign orchestrated by Romania’s “deep state.”
Bloomberg reported in February that the Trump administration had pressured Bucharest not to obstruct Georgescu’s candidacy ahead of the upcoming election in May.
Key Trump ally and advisor Elon Musk expressed disapproval of Georgescu’s arrest, labeling it as “messed up.”
US Vice President J.D. Vance similarly criticized Romania while addressing the Munich Security Conference in February, indicating that certain “old entrenched interests” in the country were utilizing “ugly, Soviet-era words like misinformation and disinformation” to inhibit a politician with a “different viewpoint” from gaining power.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
A specialized unit known as DIICOT, which focuses on combatting organized crime, alongside Romania’s intelligence service, the SRI, reported that a group named Vlad the Impaler Command aimed to destabilize the country's constitutional order and remove Romania from NATO.
Vlad the Impaler, a historical figure from the medieval period in what is now Romania, is notorious for his brutal military strategies and severe punishments meted out to his adversaries.
The SRI stated that members of this group, which includes a 101-year-old retired general, “actively requested support from Russian Federation Embassy officials.”
DIICOT revealed that this “organized criminal group” had recruited followers online and disseminated video materials.
In response to these developments, Bucharest expelled two Russian diplomats on Wednesday. Moscow has refuted claims of interference in Romania's internal matters and has promised to retaliate against the expulsions.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized Bucharest’s “obsession” with identifying a “Russian trace” in its “internal political squabbles,” accusing the Romanian government of Russophobia and a continual quest for escalation.
Last year, Romania alleged Russian interference in its presidential elections when Calin Georgescu, a NATO and EU critic who opposed aid to Ukraine, unexpectedly won the first round of the national presidential election. However, the vote was swiftly annulled by Romania’s Constitutional Court due to alleged campaign funding irregularities.
Last week, as Georgescu prepared to file his candidacy for a new election, he was arrested and charged with six criminal offenses, including alleged “voter bribery,” “promoting fascist, racist, or xenophobic ideologies,” and incitement to actions against the constitutional order.
Georgescu has proclaimed his innocence and sought assistance from US President Donald Trump, describing the actions against him as part of a politically motivated campaign orchestrated by Romania’s “deep state.”
Bloomberg reported in February that the Trump administration had pressured Bucharest not to obstruct Georgescu’s candidacy ahead of the upcoming election in May.
Key Trump ally and advisor Elon Musk expressed disapproval of Georgescu’s arrest, labeling it as “messed up.”
US Vice President J.D. Vance similarly criticized Romania while addressing the Munich Security Conference in February, indicating that certain “old entrenched interests” in the country were utilizing “ugly, Soviet-era words like misinformation and disinformation” to inhibit a politician with a “different viewpoint” from gaining power.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
