President Nicuşor Dan says DIICOT must clarify Călin Georgescu detention and upholds presumption of innocence

At a press briefing in New York, President Nicuşor Dan asserted that the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) holds the duty to uncover all facts related to the detention of former presidential hopeful Călin Georgescu, and that the legal principle of presumption of innocence must be upheld. He reminded the audience of the constitutional separation between the presidential administration and the courts.

Dan offered a message of understanding and even sympathy for citizens who consider Georgescu a victim of the judicial system, citing poll data that shows only about a quarter to a third of the public trust the justice system. He warned that low confidence can foster perceptions of manipulation. Georgescu was released from DIICOT headquarters after a 24-hour detention, still handcuffed, and will face a court appearance with a request for 30-day preventive detention. A business associate, Ionel Rusen, was also detained and will be transferred to the central prison in Bucharest.