Călin Georgescu’s supporters sang “Eternal Memory” for Cristian Tudor Popescu during the protest at the Central Detention Center: “It seems I have died”

Supporters of Călin Georgescu who gathered on Saturday evening, October 3, in front of the Central Arrest Facility in Bucharest, lit candles on the asphalt in the shape of journalist Cristian Tudor Popescu’s initials and sang “Eternal Memory.”

In one of the videos, a woman accuses the journalist of having wanted Călin Georgescu’s death, following a statement previously made on B1 TV. Cristian Tudor Popescu had stated that the possible death of the former presidential candidate would represent “an immense gift” for AUR, clarifying that he was referring to the political exploitation of the situation.

On Sunday, October 4, Cristian Tudor Popescu reacted on Facebook under the title “It Seems I Have Died,” describing the footage in which a voice announces that candles had been lit for “the system’s journalist.”

The gesture was criticized by activist Ciprian Necula and Vasile Bănescu, former spokesperson for the Romanian Patriarchate. They accused the organizers of turning prayer into a tool of intimidation and warned about aggressive rhetoric and incitement to violence.

Protests in front of the Central Arrest Facility began after, on September 29, the Bucharest Court of Appeal ordered Călin Georgescu’s pretrial detention for 30 days. Approximately 1,000 people participated in Saturday’s demonstration, and the Bucharest Gendarmerie issued dozens of fines.