Romania's Călin Georgescu pictured with former mercenary investigated for inciting illegal gathering

Romania's political scene faces another scandal, after photos emerged showing politician Călin Georgescu with a private military contractor who was recently apprehended heading to Bucharest to allegedly incite protests following the annulled presidential elections.

Georgescu came out on top in the first round of Romania's recent presidential elections - which were annulled by the country's constitutional court following the declassification of intelligence reports showing Russian involvement in influencing voters to support Georgescu.

Several older photos emerged picturing Georgescu with Horațiu Potra - owner of a private military company and former mercenary in the French Foreign Legion.

Potra was recently detained by Romanian police along with 20 other people. Authorities found dozens of edged weapons, two pistols and considerable sums of money in their vehicles.

Local media report that sources close to the investigation allege Potra had planned an act of intimidation, having lists with the names of politicians and journalists on them.

Despite the photos showing the two together, Georgescu had previously denied knowing the former mercenary. He has since confirmed the authenticity of the photos but claimed he did not remember the meeting as it was a long time ago.

Potra was released from detention by Romanian authorities on Friday. He is currently being investigated on weapons and ammunition charges, as well as public incitement to illegal gatherings.

"The defendants, together with other people, travelled to Bucharest, having on them bladed weapons, firearms as well as large sums of money, laptops, storage media and a drone," said Romanian chief prosecutor Maria Florentina Ilioiu.

Ilioiu said these items "were allegedly to be used to instigate people to commit crimes at an unauthorised public meeting, and to reward them."

Potra's defence lawyers say the charges have nothing to do with Georgescu.