Former presidential candidate Calin Georgescu intended to seek political asylum in Italy after the judicial supervision measure against him was lifted and to buy or rent a property in Tuscany, according to a document in which prosecutors with the Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) are seeking the pre-trial detention of Georgescu and his alleged accomplice, Ionel Rusen, in a 1.1-million-euro fraud case.
The prosecutors' document includes transcripts of conversations between Georgescu and Rusen on 22 May 2025.
"On 22 May 2025, at around 12:50, Calin Georgescu got into Ionel Rusen's car. The ensuing conversation indicates that Georgescu shared with Rusen matters he considered highly important and confidential, stressing that these were things that 'no one else must know'. The confidential nature Georgescu attached to this information is also apparent from his repeated requests that Rusen exercise discretion regarding the matters discussed. As regards their substance, the conversation indicates that some concerned political contacts and initiatives, with Georgescu asking Rusen to approach certain individuals whom he considered relevant in order to advance his interests in this area, including people holding important roles or positions," prosecutors note.
Investigators believe that the way the conversation unfolded indicates that Georgescu regarded Ionel Rusen as a trusted person with whom he could share such information and whom he could ask to take steps on his behalf or in his interests.
The following excerpt from their conversation is relevant in this regard:
"Ionel Rusen: I spoke to Matteo [Salvini]. He won't come out with a message supporting you. He said he can't do that. What he can do is come out and say that democracy in Romania is gone...
Calin Georgescu: Yes...
Ionel Rusen: He can't mention your name. I didn't even want to ask him why, how or in what way.
Calin Georgescu: I understand.
Ionel Rusen: But he will do that.
Calin Georgescu: When will he do it?
Ionel Rusen: Now. He should confirm this afternoon... How... I'll try to... get this done. But how...
Calin Georgescu: But no one must know!"
The same conversation also includes a reference to Roberto Vannacci.
The conversation indicates that the value of the property is not a financial obstacle for Georgescu, who indicates that price would not prevent him from finding a property meeting his requirements.
"Calin Georgescu: Right! So I need a place, I need to see some properties that I can buy or rent. So we have... We have everything we need. We don't need money. I'm only interested in it being at a price... that they can arrange, I mean, a price for me.
Ionel Rusen: That's what I wanted to... That's what I wanted to ask you. Financially...
Calin Georgescu: Financially, we have everything we need.
Calin Georgescu: And after we talk once more, then you can get started. I have three areas in Tuscany. One close to the sea or by the sea and one... two in this kind of hilly area.
Ionel Rusen: OK.
Calin Georgescu: OK. I'll give them to you and if they give you... And, and. Right. And of course [unintelligible] theirs... I mean, so I can go straight to the right place. This man should go and see them.
Calin Georgescu: And one that has a small house next to it or some kind of outbuilding.
Ionel Rusen: An outbuilding... Yes.
Calin Georgescu: That's what I'm asking you to find.
Ionel Rusen: Yes.
Calin Georgescu: I mean, like all the houses in Italy. From what I've seen, at least, they all have something like that.
Ionel Rusen: Yes.
Calin Georgescu: Because that's how they were built, for... for servants."
The two return to the subject of the Tuscany property in another conversation on 27 May 2025.
Rusen tells Georgescu he has identified a property that meets the requirements they had previously discussed, although he considers it "a little expensive", at around 1.2 million euros.
Georgescu says in this context that some "foreigners" will help him, which, according to prosecutors, indicates that he has sources of financial support in mind for the purchase.
"Ionel Rusen: They gave me... I'll give you the contact details as well. They gave me something where, basically... It's very good there, it's secluded, you've got every... everything there. It's... It seems a little expensive to me, but we'll see how we can work it out.
Calin Georgescu: Well, no, because some foreigners are going to help me.
Ionel Rusen: Yes. So, what they gave me is exactly like that. And here you've got everything... Plus, it's very secure. It's exactly in the area you gave me. You've got outbuildings, you've got everything you need... These are the details of the property. Around one million two hundred thousand.
Calin Georgescu: OK."
Rusen offers to assist Georgescu through the entire process of purchasing the property, including negotiations and documentation. The two also discuss having a third person, identified as "Marian", inspect the property and the surrounding area, including from a security perspective.
"Ionel Rusen: He said the location is very good. Plus, you've got a lot of land, so no one can get close to you.
Calin Georgescu: Right! And do you have a contact person?
Ionel Rusen: I've got everything. But I'm suggesting something else, Calin! Let me help you all the way through.
Calin Georgescu: What do you mean?
Ionel Rusen: To help you with the negotiations as well, and with all these things and the plan. Because I know exactly how they can sort out the documents for you and all that.
Calin Georgescu: Of course! For now, I want to send him there so I know...
Ionel Rusen: We'll send him there.
Calin Georgescu: Marian should go there...
Ionel Rusen: To see the property.
Calin Georgescu: [unintelligible] to see the property, to see the area."
Georgescu again stresses that the property should include separate accommodation where "a man and his wife" could live. Prosecutors say the discussions indicate that the choice of property involves not only the characteristics of the main house, but also auxiliary accommodation and the security of the property as a whole.
Georgescu then refers to his plans after completing the arrangements for the property, saying he first needs to "get rid of" the judicial supervision measure against him.
"Calin Georgescu: Please. And after you finish this, then we'll talk. So that you understand the plan. The plan is this. I still need to get rid of judicial supervision...
Ionel Rusen: Yes. That's it..."
According to prosecutors, the subsequent discussion indicates that Georgescu intended to seek political asylum in Italy after the judicial supervision measure was lifted and to live at the property with his family and "my people".
Georgescu refers to the need for the property to be in Italy so that he could come under Italian law and thus be "protected".
"Calin Georgescu: Once I get there, I have something, but this is the second part I want to tell you about. I need them to protect me. I mean, to come under Italian law, to get my passport in [unintelligible] a week. I mean, not to keep me waiting too long with this.
Ionel Rusen: Yes. Yes.
Calin Georgescu: I have a passport, I'll take the children and that's it! And, of course, my people.
Ionel Rusen: Yes."
The discussion then returns to preparations for finding a suitable property, with Georgescu again stressing the confidential nature of the arrangements they are discussing, telling Rusen that "no one must know" about the "task" he had entrusted to him.
"Calin Georgescu: Right! So this would be the most important task. The most important. I want to know. Maybe you can give me some prices this evening as well. I'll give you...
Ionel Rusen: Give me...
Calin Georgescu: Roughly.
Calin Georgescu: Anyway... Make whatever plan you want, but this is the task. What I'm asking is for this guy to leave [unintelligible], to go to France, and by Wednesday, Thursday he has to be in Italy.
Ionel Rusen: I'll take care of it.
Calin Georgescu: Where he'll go with someone, or whoever is there in the area. They'll give him... like that... He'll see several properties, a few of them. I'm saying it again! Once again! It can be another area, but still in Tuscany, as I... asked you. A house with another one next to it, or something in the grounds or behind the house, or however they're built.
Ionel Rusen: Yes. Yes. Yes.
Calin Georgescu: And another small one somewhere nearby. The important thing is [unintelligible].
Ionel Rusen: Yes. Yes. Yes. So that you have property... If you... If you own property, then it's very easy...
Calin Georgescu: Of course! A bank account, property, school for the children.
Ionel Rusen: Yes.
Calin Georgescu: Uh... A job or a company... Again... Then they'll help me to... I don't know... sell apples or... [laughs]
Ionel Rusen: Yes.
Calin Georgescu: It's just for appearances. I realise what it should be."
Towards the end of the conversation, Georgescu again emphasises secrecy.
"The important thing is that no one detects anything. That's what interests me most. There must be no chance of anyone finding out, no hint of anything whatsoever," he says.
Georgescu then asks Rusen to speak to Vannacci, adding: "Please! I'm counting [on you]!"
"No one must know!" Georgescu says at the end of the exchange.
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