BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — In the latest bizarre claim to come out of Romania’s presidential race last year, the loser and his wife have claimed he was subject to attacks of negative energy by aides of President Traian Basescu during a crucial debate.

Former Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana who lost the Dec. 6 runoff, claimed Basescu ordered the attacks against him, Mediafax news agency reported Monday.

“During the Dec. 3 debate … people who were working for Basescu in this domain were present to the right of the camera. … I saw them and I know who they are,” Geoana told Antena 3 television. Geoana fared badly in parts of the debate.

His wife Mihaela Geoana said Saturday her husband “was very badly attacked, he couldn’t concentrate.”

Former President Ion Iliescu dismissed the allegations as “discussions for naive people, for uneducated people,” according to Monday’s edition of the daily Gandul.

Geoana aide Viorel Hrebenciuc has previously alleged there was a “violet flame” conspiracy during the campaign. He said Basescu dressed in purple on Thursdays to increase his chance of victory.

Asked about the violet connection, Basescu joked earlier this month that “it was the color of the year” in 2009.

Basescu narrowly won the election. Geoana’s Social Democracy Party claimed the ballot was marred by fraud.