Romania Pro-Russian Coup Plotters Inspired By Dracula Arrested

Romanian authorities arrested six people, including a 101-year-old retired general, on charges of treason for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the government in a Russian-backed plot aimed at pulling Romania out of NATO, Politico reported.

On Thursday, the country’s organized crime investigation agency, DIICOT, announced the arrests, saying the six individuals were members of an organization called the “Vlad Țepeș Command” – named after the historical Vlad Țepeș, better known as Vlad the Impaler or Dracula.

The group operated under a military-style hierarchy, with the 101-year-old Radu Theodoru serving as the organization’s leader, according to Newsweek.

The agency said the alleged plotters sought to dismantle Romania’s existing political system, including changing Romania’s constitution, renaming the country, and changing its flag and anthem.

They also planned to form a ruling council made up of “a Council of the Wise, a Council of Elders, and Local Committees of the Ancestors.”

Authorities said the group had repeated contact with Russian intelligence agents, including two individuals stationed at the Russian Embassy in Bucharest who were expelled from the country last week.

The Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) said the diplomats engaged in intelligence-gathering activities in strategic areas and assisted the group’s unconstitutional efforts.

Russian officials denied involvement, calling Romania’s accusations “unjustified and unfriendly” and warned of retaliatory measures.

The arrests come amid heightened concerns over Russian influence in Romania following the controversial annulment of the first round of the November presidential election, which gave a shock victory to an obscure pro-Russian candidate, Călin Georgescu.

Georgescu, who has voiced skepticism of NATO and support for Moscow, is under investigation for potential election interference linked to Russian operations. He was arrested and charged last week with attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, as well as membership of a neo-fascist organization.

On Sunday, clashes erupted between his supporters and police in the capital, Bucharest, after the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC) barred him from running in May’s presidential election rerun, the BBC wrote.