Like, it was conducted “from outside places” to bypass control.
A separate intelligence assessment said Moscow had labeled Romania a “hostile state” and a priority target for what it called “aggressive hybrid operations.”
The politically explosive information, which comes just days before the second round of voting, comes from declassified documents released tonight by outgoing president Klaus Iohannis.
They show how paid content in support of Georgescu was promoted on TikTok without being labeled as campaigning – in violation of the platform’s own rules and Romanian electoral law. The content of other candidates was subject to closer scrutiny.
Georgescu has always said he spent “zero” promoting the election, denying that he even campaigned.
But intelligence documents identify one TikTok account that they say made $381,000 in payments (£299,819; €361,872) in just one month from October 24 – for users who promoted Georgeska.
Georgescu claims that the release of the documents is a coordinated attempt to block his candidacy.
“I think this is the first case in the history of the world when the state organizes an action against a candidate to prevent him from running,” he said in a TV interview on Wednesday.
He also denied knowing any of the influencers or funders mentioned in the reports.
All the documents released as part of this highly unusual move were prepared for the Security Council meeting after the first round of presidential elections.
They also reveal that access data to election websites was stolen from legitimate users and published online “on cybercrime platforms originating in Russia.”
Separately, intelligence agencies report about 85,000 hacking attempts in an attempt to access election data and change content – including on election day. The report said cyber attackers used advanced techniques to remain anonymous, operating in a manner and on a scale “typical of state-sponsored entities”.
An investigation is ongoing to find out who is responsible and whether he influenced the election.
Russia denies interference in the electoral process in Romania.
Reformist candidate Alena Lasconi will face the far-right favorite Georgescu in the second round of elections on Sunday.
Prime Minister of Romania Marcel Cholaku – who took 3rd place in the presidential race – has now announced that he will “fully support” Alena Lasconi.
But this is provided that the vote will take place. Now the prosecutor’s office is studying new documents.
“I hope that based on the evidence released today, the state authorities will take appropriate measures and all those responsible will be brought to justice,” Cholaku said.
He added that the people’s vote showed that they wanted “the continuation of Romania’s European development path.”
A pro-European protest is scheduled for Thursday evening.
Commenting on the protest, Georgescu warned against possible unrest, referring to the “Maidan” in Ukraine, the 2014 revolution that overthrew the pro-Russian president.
“Please stay at home with your family. We need social peace. God will not fail Romania,” Georgescu said.
