Romanians in Italy protest for release of Călin Georgescu

Thousands of Romanians held a large-scale demonstration in Rome on Sunday, October 25, to support former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu, who is currently in preventive detention. Protesters marched through the center of the Italian capital, carrying Romanian flags and chanting messages such as “Democracy means respecting the vote” and “Justice, not corruption.”

Unlike authorities in Romania, Italian officials authorized the peaceful event and provided necessary security forces and street closures. This follows continuous protests in Romania, where supporters have gathered nightly in front of the Central Arrest facility to demand his release.

Cristela Georgescu, the wife of Călin Georgescu, issued a message of support to protesters via social media. She stated that her husband is aware of the movement and promised to tell him about the demonstrations held by both the diaspora and citizens within Romania. The legal situation regarding Georgescu remains active after the Bucharest Court of Appeal overturned a previous decision that had allowed him to switch from preventive detention to house arrest.