Romania investigates mercenary linked to presidential candidate after guns and cash haul

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanian prosecutors on Friday called for the temporary arrest of a mercenary who stashed illegal weapons and cash at home and 20 other people with links to the far-right frontrunner in last year's canceled presidential election pending an investigation.

Former French Foreign Legion soldier Horatiu Potra, who has served as a military contractor in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is an associate of far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, who topped the first round of a presidential ballot in November.

The election was voided in December on suspicion of Russian interference, which Moscow denies. The decision has drawn rebuke from members of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration who see it as an example of undemocratic censorship of free speech.

A rerun will take place in May and Georgescu has vowed to stand despite being the subject of a criminal investigation on charges including anti-Semitism.

Prosecutors said they were investigating the 21 suspects on charges including illegal weapons possession and attempts to threaten national security, which could carry prison terms of up to 20 years.

"After questioning which took place on Feb. 26-27, the prosecutor ordered today the start of a criminal investigation against 21 suspects," prosecutors said in a statement and asked the supreme court to arrest the suspects for 30 days.

During 47 raids at addresses of people with ties to Georgescu, including Potra's, prosecutors earlier this week found a large cache of weapons including grenade launchers and hidden cash.

"About the weapons, I will admit to illegal possession but first I want to say that ... rather than die legally it is better to live illegally," Potra told Romanian television on Wednesday.

"Given who is leading (Romania) at the moment, who could put Romania in a war against Russia at any moment, it's better to be prepared."

Potra said he chose to keep his money in cash and that he could prove it was legally obtained.

Prosecutors this week said they were investigating Georgescu on six counts including membership of a racist organisation, promoting war criminals and fascist organisations, and communicating false information about campaign financing. He has denied all wrongdoing.

Georgescu has praised Romania's 1930s fascist leaders as patriots and martyrs and expressed admiration for both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He remains voters' top choice in opinion polls ahead of the May rerun, although it remains unclear whether he will be allowed to run at all.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and billionaire Elon Musk have criticised Romania for cancelling the election. On Thursday, German, French and Dutch ambassadors expressed support for Romania and the independence of its courts.

(Reporting by Luiza Ilie, Editing by Alan Charlish and Ros Russell)