Romanian authorities have conducted raids on the homes of several TikTok influencers suspected of accepting bribes to sway voters in favor of an opposition figure’s campaign.
Romanian prosecutors have launched a wide-ranging investigation into supporters of opposition figure Calin Georgescu, detaining a prominent influencer and executing raids related to alleged voter bribery during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Georgescu, who has voiced criticism of NATO, the EU, and aid to Ukraine, surprisingly won the first round of last year’s election. However, the Romanian Constitutional Court annulled the results, citing irregularities in campaign funding.
While no evidence directly implicates Georgescu in wrongdoing, authorities accuse social media influencers of manipulating public opinion.
Earlier media reports suggested a preliminary investigation indicated that a consulting firm connected to the pro-Western National Liberal Party (PNL) might have inadvertently aided Georgescu while attempting to undermine another candidate, potentially causing the “irregularities.” However, earlier this month, Georgescu was briefly detained on six criminal charges, including alleged “voter bribery,” and the investigation remains active.
On Friday, the General Prosecutor’s Office announced the preventive arrest of businessman and influencer Bogdan Peschir, accused of providing nearly $900,000 in digital gifts and transfers to finance Georgescu’s campaign.
Finantatorul campaniei lui Georgescu, obligat sa-si dea jos masca si ochelarii
— aktual24.ro (@ak24ro)
According to declassified documents from the Romanian Intelligence Service cited by local media outlets such as g4media and RomaniaTV, Peschir allegedly used the TikTok account ‘bogpr’ to donate to creators promoting Georgescu. They also suggested a foreign “state actor” might have coordinated the effort.
Peschir has asserted that his donations were personal and voluntary, comparing them to “Elon Musk supporting [US President Donald] Trump” during last year’s presidential election. He also denied any association with Georgescu’s campaign. Peschir’s lawyer condemned the arrest, claiming it was politically motivated.
Perchezitii in dosarul Georgescu pentru coruperea alegatorilor. Vizati sunt Peschir si Makaveli
— aktual24.ro (@ak24ro)
Peschir’s arrest followed 17 raids conducted by Romanian police on Thursday in Bucharest and nine counties, targeting influencers allegedly supporting Georgescu. Among those targeted was TikTok personality Makaveli (real name: Alexandru Virgil Zidaru), known for his anti-establishment views and connections to right-wing MEP Diana Iovanovici-Sosoaca.
Sosoaca was disqualified from last year’s election after the Constitutional Court determined that her anti-Western stance and advocacy for closer ties with Russia were in violation of Romania’s democratic principles.
Media reports also state that authorities raided the home of Alin Borcan, the self-proclaimed ‘king of TikTok’, who, after the raid, appeared before the media with a toy gun, commenting that the police were “searching for Mr. Georgescu in my drawers.”
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