Romanian prosecutors sent Calin Georgescu, the pro-Russian far-right frontrunner in last year's cancelled presidential election, to trial on Tuesday on charges of attempting to disrupt national security.
The European Union and NATO member state canceled its presidential election in December on account of suspected Russian interference in favour of Georgescu, a strong critic of NATO, Brussels and Western support for Ukraine. Moscow denied the accusations of meddling in the election.
Prosecutors said on Tuesday evidence showed that after the election was canceled he had conspired with Horatiu Potra, a former French Foreign Legion soldier, to stage violent protests.
The trial date remains unclear.
The election, which was re-run in May, was ultimately won by pro-European centrist Nicusor Dan.
Georgescu was banned from running again and placed under investigation in two cases. He has denied wrongdoing.
Alongside Georgescu, prosecutors on Tuesday indicted 21 other people in the case, including Potra, a mercenary who had previously worked as a military contractor in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Prosecutors said in a statement that after a covert meeting with Georgescu, Potra formed "a paramilitary group of 21 people which decided to travel to the capital Bucharest where ... they would trigger protests meant to draw wide support from the population against rule of law institutions."
Prosecutors added that a campaign of cyber attacks, public events, and disinformation, linked to pro-Russian groups, targeted 13 state institutions, 12 transport firms, and 17 banks, aiming to destabilise Romania.
While similar hybrid attacks had occurred in the Czech Republic and Poland, Prosecutor General Alex Florenta said in Romania they focused on extremist groups, amplifying hate speech narratives consistent with Russian propaganda. Moscow has denied involvement.
Georgescu had benefited from intensive online campaigns, Florenta said. Data showed the former presidential candidate had been promoted on over 40 online groups known to spread disinformation, with 1.3 million members.
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Armenia heads to the polls on 7 June in a key parliamentary vote seen as a test of its democratic reforms and future political direction. Prime Minist...
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships ...
At least a dozen people were wounded, two critically, on Saturday (6 June) in Toledo, Ohio, as two shooters traded gunfire, police said....
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has warned ahead of World Environment Day that Afghanistan's worsening water crisis is di...
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has warned ahead of World Environment Day that Afghanistan's worsening water crisis is disproportionately affecting women and girls, who bear much of the responsibility for securing water for their families.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al‑Zaidi will pay an official visit to the United States, bringing with him a delegation of business leaders, private‑sector representatives and banking officials, in an effort to boost investment and deepen economic ties with Washington.
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, newly independent Armenia emerged with the promise of democracy. But in the years that followed, conflicts and political assassinations sidetracked politics in the country, until a 2018 revolution restored momentum to the promise.
Armenia heads to the polls on 7 June in a key parliamentary vote seen as a test of its democratic reforms and future political direction. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is seeking re-election amid domestic polarisation, security challenges and regional diplomatic tensions.
Armenian authorities arrested six candidates from the pro-Russian Strong Armenia bloc on Saturday, one day before voters were due to take part in parliamentary elections.
More than 6,000 people gathered outside a vote-counting centre in Seoul on Friday night, demanding this week’s local elections be repeated after ballot shortages left some voters unable to cast their ballots.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launches retaliatory strikes on four tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted U.S. bases in the Gulf.
At least a dozen people were wounded, two critically, on Saturday (6 June) in Toledo, Ohio, as two shooters traded gunfire, police said.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 7 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al‑Zaidi will pay an official visit to the United States, bringing with him a delegation of business leaders, private‑sector representatives and banking officials, in an effort to boost investment and deepen economic ties with Washington.
People across Gaza are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions struggling to access food, clean water, shelter and medical care as the conflict continues.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said Russian forces attacked two civilian search and rescue vessels operating in Ukrainian waters on Saturday, leaving several people injured.
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