Horațiu Potra: "Georgescu will escape preventive arrest" – attempted coup d'état case
Horațiu Potra stated that Călin Georgescu will be released from preventive arrest. Both are being tried alongside 20 other individuals for attempted overthrow of constitutional order.
Potra convinced that Georgescu will be released from preventive arrest
Horațiu Potra stated on Wednesday at the Bucharest Court of Appeal that former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu will escape the preventive arrest measure he has been under since 29 September. "Of course he will escape", declared the head of the mercenaries, according to Romania TV - Justiție, immediately upon arrival at the court premises.
The presence of the two at the Bucharest Court of Appeal (CAB) took place during a new hearing in the case opened for attempted coup d'état. The hearing from 27 October had been postponed to Wednesday, 11 November. Upon arrival, Potra was asked whether Georgescu would escape the preventive arrest imposed in the separate case, the one for fraud and formation of an organised criminal group.
Accusations in the main case
In the case concerning the attempted overthrow of constitutional order, Georgescu is being tried for complicity in attempted commission of actions against constitutional order and communication of false information, in continuous form. Horațiu Potra is being tried for attempted commission of actions against constitutional order, failure to comply with the weapons and ammunition regime, as well as failure to comply with the explosives regime.
His son, Dorian Potra, and his nephew, Alexandru Potra, have been sent to trial for attempted commission of actions against constitutional order. In total, 22 defendants are being tried in this case. Potra was initially placed in preventive arrest, later placed under house arrest, and is currently under judicial supervision.
Night of checkpoints and confiscated weapons
On the night of 7 to 8 December 2024, police officers conducted checkpoints in the area of Balotești-Săftica localities in Ilfov County and Mănești and Cornești in Dâmbovița County, as well as in the Capital. In the stopped and inspected vehicles, pocket knife-type blades, daggers, telescopic batons, pepper sprays, axes, pistols and pyrotechnic materials from the most dangerous category, with potential to produce powerful explosions, were discovered.
The prosecutors who ordered the indictment of the 22 defendants concluded that their actions endangered national security, by creating a state of danger for constitutional order.
Searches and discovery of money in safe
On 26–27 February 2025, 47 searches were carried out at addresses in Sibiu, Mureș, Ilfov, Timiș and Cluj counties, targeting the residences of 27 individuals and four business headquarters, including Horațiu Potra's residence. Investigators discovered packages with stacks of dollars in his house, in a safe built into the floor. Potra stated that the law does not oblige him to keep his money in a bank. Numerous weapons were also found at his place; the mercenary stated that he "takes responsibility for" failure to comply with the weapons and ammunition regime, refusing further comment, according to news.ro.
Other criminal cases
Apart from the main case and the one in which he is in preventive arrest, Georgescu has three other criminal cases. One of these, opened for Legionary propaganda, is also pending before the court.
Source: Romania TV - Justiție