European Parliament member and president of the SOS Romania party Diana Șoșoacă has been formally indicted by the Romanian Prosecutor General’s Office on charges of illegal deprivation of liberty. The case, which involves an incident from December 2021, centers on the detention of a television crew, while a separate investigation into alleged legionary propaganda remains ongoing.
The 2021 Detention Charges
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the indictment involves Diana Șoșoacă and her former husband, Silvestru Șoșoacă. Prosecutors allege that on December 10, 2021, the two defendants held four people—three victims and one witness—against their will inside the politician’s law office in Bucharest.
The incident occurred while the crew from the television station Rai Uno was attempting to conduct an interview with Șoșoacă, who was a senator at the time. Prosecutors state that the detention was triggered by the politician’s dissatisfaction with the questions posed by the journalist. The office further alleges that Silvestru Șoșoacă committed acts of violence against one of the victims, striking them with fists in the shoulder and arm area and forcibly removing a protective face mask.
The case has been referred to the High Court of Cassation and Justice for trial.
Did you know?
The European Parliament voted to lift Diana Șoșoacă’s parliamentary immunity in April. This action followed a request from the Romanian Prosecutor General’s Office regarding separate investigations into alleged public promotion of extremist ideologies.
Ongoing Investigations into Extremist Propaganda
Beyond the detention case, Diana Șoșoacă faces a second, separate criminal investigation. Prosecutors have disjoined the case to examine allegations of public promotion of legionary propaganda and the glorification of individuals convicted of war crimes or crimes against humanity.
These charges are linked to Șoșoacă’s public participation in commemorations for Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, the leader of the Legionary Movement. In November 2024, she attended a ceremony at a roadside shrine in Tâncăbești, Ilfov County, honoring Codreanu and other organization members. During a social media broadcast, she stated, “It is my right to consider whoever I want a patriot.”
Following the invalidation of her candidacy for the presidential elections by the Constitutional Court, Șoșoacă further invoked the movement in a YouTube broadcast, declaring, “Long live the Legion and the Captain.”
Legal and Political Implications
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specific charges against Diana Șoșoacă?
She has been indicted for four counts of illegal deprivation of liberty related to a 2021 incident and is currently being investigated for alleged promotion of legionary propaganda and extremist ideologies.
Who else is involved in the detention case?
Her former husband, Silvestru Șoșoacă, has also been indicted alongside her for his alleged role in the detention and violence against the media crew.
What is the current status of the propaganda investigation?
Prosecutors have disjoined the investigations, meaning the propaganda allegations are being handled in a separate criminal file from the detention case.
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