Romanian police apprehended 24 individuals over the weekend who were traveling to Bucharest with an arsenal of weapons, amid increased tensions following the cancellation of the second round of the presidential elections.
Authorities detained 20 individuals traveling in vehicles loaded with weapons and conducted further questioning with some of them.
Among those arrested was Horațiu Potra, a former politician and leader of a mercenary group in Africa. Local reports indicated that Potra’s “Mercedes” contained a pistol, knives, other weapons, and cash in five different currencies.
According to unofficial sources, the group, allegedly coordinated by Potra, had booked hotels near University Square in Bucharest and planned to disrupt protests against right-wing presidential candidate Călin Georgeșcu. The group is also said to have compiled a list of politicians and journalists they intended to intimidate, though Romanian authorities have not verified these claims.
Potra’s lawyer told Politico that Potra was detained for weapon possession and incitement to violence due to a Facebook post but denied any ties between Potra and Georgeșcu.
“Potra completely denies the charges against him. As for any alleged connections with Călin Georgeșcu, there is no evidence or mention of such a connection in this case,” the lawyer added.
