Bucharest Policeโข Investigate Extremist Posters Following Sexual Assault,โฃ Amidst Rise in Far-Right Symbolism
Bucharest, Romania – capital Police are investigating teh โappearance of extremist posters in centralโค Bucharest, following a recent case of sexual violence, and are working โฃto identify those responsible. The posters, featuring non-elegious and โขfar-right symbols, have sparked outrage and concern over a growingโฃ trend โคof extremist messaging in the city.
According to a statement from the General Directorate of โBucharest municipal Police (DGPMB), “Currently, actions are ongoing to identify and detect the suspected person that he has committed the deedโฆ Simultaneously occurring, the necessary steps were taken to remove the respective posters.” The DGPMB affirmed they are treating the situation wiht “maximum seriousness” andโค will “continue to actโค firmly and professionally,โ in accordance โwith the legalโฃ norms in force.”
The posters representโ a wider resurgence of extremistโ symbolism in Bucharest,monitoredโฃ byโ the civic initiativeโข “We want change.”โ The group has documented stickers โand graffiti displaying forbidden symbols, including those of the Iron Guard and the Legionary Movement,โข appearing since last year in areas like Magheru boulevard, near the North โStation, and close โขto schools.
Romanian lawโ (Law 217/2015, amending GEO 31/2002) prohibits theโฃ creation, distribution, or display of fascist, legionary, racist, or xenophobic symbols, with violations punishable by up to three years imprisonment and restriction of rights. However, enforcement has been inconsistent, with repeated โฃappearances of such materials highlighting gaps in monitoring and sanctioning.
“We want change” has actively reported incidents to authorities, leadingโค to the removal of vandalized road signs in central areas. In November 2023, the group documented widespread propaganda and successfully prompted the town hall to remove stickers and posters bearing messages like “1927, we returned” andโฃ portraits of Corneliu Zelea Codreanu and Ion Antonescu from โlocations including calea Victoriei, Revolution Square, and Bd. Nicolae Bฤlcescu.
Civic groups areโค encouraging citizens to remove the stickers themselves or counter them with positive, democratic, andโข anti-racist messages.
Activist โAna Marincea emphasized the importance of public education,stating,”Citizens must learn to recognize extremist symbols and messages.Schools, journalists and public โcampaigns have a โcrucial role in awareness of the danger of โnon-elegance propaganda.” She also stressed theโฃ need forโฃ swift intervention โby authorities toโ ensure a safe urban habitat where extremism and hate speech are โactively combatted.