Romanian authorities initiate crackdown on Georgescu
Authorities have conducted raids on the residences of several TikTok influencers suspected of voter bribery in connection with the campaign of opposition figure Calin Georgescu. Romanian prosecutors have initiated a broad crackdown on supporters...
TroibNews 
Authorities have conducted raids on the residences of several TikTok influencers suspected of voter bribery in connection with the campaign of opposition figure Calin Georgescu.
Romanian prosecutors have initiated a broad crackdown on supporters of Georgescu, who has gained notoriety for his criticism of NATO, the EU, and Ukraine. He achieved an unexpected first-round victory in the previous year’s election, which was quickly annulled by Romania’s Constitutional Court due to alleged funding irregularities.
While no direct evidence of wrongdoing by Georgescu has emerged, officials have accused social media influencers of influencing public opinion. A preliminary media investigation suggested that “irregularities” might have originated from a consulting firm connected to the pro-Western National Liberal Party, which inadvertently benefited Georgescu while attempting to undermine another candidate. Earlier this month, Georgescu faced temporary detention on six criminal charges, including alleged "voter bribery," with the investigation still ongoing.
On Friday, the General Prosecutor’s Office announced the preventive arrest of businessman and influencer Bogdan Peschir, who is accused of financing Georgescu’s campaign with nearly $900,000 in digital gifts and transfers.
The Romanian Intelligence Service, in declassified documents referenced by local media, including g4media and RomaniaTV, alleged that Peschir utilized the TikTok account ‘bogpr’ to contribute to creators promoting Georgescu, suggesting that a foreign “state actor” may have coordinated this effort.
Peschir has defended his donations as personal and voluntary, likening them to “Elon Musk supporting [US President Donald] Trump” during last year’s presidential election, and has denied any connection to Georgescu’s campaign. His lawyer criticized the arrest as politically motivated.
Peschir’s arrest came after Romanian police conducted 17 raids across Bucharest and nine counties on Thursday, targeting influencers who allegedly backed Georgescu. Among those affected was TikTok personality Makaveli, known for his anti-mainstream views and associations with right-wing MEP Diana Iovanovici-Sosoaca.
Sosoaca was barred from last year’s election after the Constitutional Court determined that her anti-Western rhetoric and support for closer ties with Russia violated Romania’s democratic framework.
Additionally, media reports indicate that authorities also raided the home of Alin Borcan, who calls himself the ‘king of TikTok.’ He appeared before the media after the raid, brandishing a toy gun, and remarked that the police were “searching for Mr. Georgescu in my drawers.”
Jessica Kline contributed to this article for TROIB News
Romanian prosecutors have initiated a broad crackdown on supporters of Georgescu, who has gained notoriety for his criticism of NATO, the EU, and Ukraine. He achieved an unexpected first-round victory in the previous year’s election, which was quickly annulled by Romania’s Constitutional Court due to alleged funding irregularities.
While no direct evidence of wrongdoing by Georgescu has emerged, officials have accused social media influencers of influencing public opinion. A preliminary media investigation suggested that “irregularities” might have originated from a consulting firm connected to the pro-Western National Liberal Party, which inadvertently benefited Georgescu while attempting to undermine another candidate. Earlier this month, Georgescu faced temporary detention on six criminal charges, including alleged "voter bribery," with the investigation still ongoing.
On Friday, the General Prosecutor’s Office announced the preventive arrest of businessman and influencer Bogdan Peschir, who is accused of financing Georgescu’s campaign with nearly $900,000 in digital gifts and transfers.
The Romanian Intelligence Service, in declassified documents referenced by local media, including g4media and RomaniaTV, alleged that Peschir utilized the TikTok account ‘bogpr’ to contribute to creators promoting Georgescu, suggesting that a foreign “state actor” may have coordinated this effort.
Peschir has defended his donations as personal and voluntary, likening them to “Elon Musk supporting [US President Donald] Trump” during last year’s presidential election, and has denied any connection to Georgescu’s campaign. His lawyer criticized the arrest as politically motivated.
Peschir’s arrest came after Romanian police conducted 17 raids across Bucharest and nine counties on Thursday, targeting influencers who allegedly backed Georgescu. Among those affected was TikTok personality Makaveli, known for his anti-mainstream views and associations with right-wing MEP Diana Iovanovici-Sosoaca.
Sosoaca was barred from last year’s election after the Constitutional Court determined that her anti-Western rhetoric and support for closer ties with Russia violated Romania’s democratic framework.
Additionally, media reports indicate that authorities also raided the home of Alin Borcan, who calls himself the ‘king of TikTok.’ He appeared before the media after the raid, brandishing a toy gun, and remarked that the police were “searching for Mr. Georgescu in my drawers.”
Jessica Kline contributed to this article for TROIB News
