Romanian prosecutors announced on Wednesday that they had opened a criminal investigation into Calin Georgescu, the far-right candidate who led the race in last year’s cancelled presidential election. The investigation involves multiple charges, including promoting antisemitism.

The election was annulled in December due to alleged Russian interference in Georgescu’s favour. He is known for his strong criticism of NATO and Western support for Ukraine. However, Moscow denied any involvement in the election.

Following the cancellation, prosecutors launched an investigation into various allegations against Georgescu, including campaign funding fraud, hate speech and actions against the constitutional order.

After questioning him for several hours on Wednesday, authorities confirmed that he was being formally investigated for forming an antisemitic organisation, promoting war criminals and fascist groups and spreading false information.

Georgescu denies wrongdoing and compares the authorities’ actions to practices from Romania’s communist era.

"The communist Bolshevik system is continuing its heinous abuse," Georgescu expressed on his Facebook. "They are looking to invent evidence to justify stealing the election and to do anything in their efforts to block a new candidacy from me."

Approximately 100 supporters of Calin Georgescu gathered outside the prosecutors' headquarters in Bucharest to protest, chanting "national unity" alongside ultranationalist members of parliament.

When Georgescu exited the building, his supporters cheered and called out his name. He is now placed under judicial control for 60 days, meaning he must report to the police at regular intervals.

On Wednesday, prosecutors conducted raids at 47 locations linked to Calin Georgescu and his associates.

One of the individuals targeted was Horatiu Potra, a former French Foreign Legion member and military contractor in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His security firm provides bodyguards for Georgescu. During the raid, authorities discovered a large weapons stockpile and hidden cash.

Georgescu’s communications team stated on social media that he was brought in for questioning on the same day he had planned to submit his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election rerun in May.

"Where is democracy now? Where are the partners who should defend democracy?" the post says.

Officials from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration have strongly condemned Romania's decision to annul its election. U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticised the move, stating that it showed Romania does not uphold American values. Meanwhile, billionaire Elon Musk called the chief judge of the top court responsible for cancelling the vote a "tyrant."

Taking to X, Musk wrote, "They just arrested the person who won the most votes in the Romanian presidential election,". He added, "This is messed up."

Georgescu has publicly praised Romania's fascist leaders from the 1930s, referring to them as patriots and martyrs. He has also admired former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite the investigation, he remains the leading candidate in opinion polls ahead of the May election rerun, though it is still uncertain whether he will be allowed to participate.

The Iron Guard, a far-right movement and political party founded in 1927, was notorious for its involvement in political assassinations and violent antisemitic actions.

Romanian law currently prohibits the promotion of fascist leaders, as well as the use of Nazi, racist, or xenophobic symbols, with violators facing potential prison sentences. However, such cases were rarely brought to court before the annulled election.