 |
| Ion Iliescu |
Romania's former president, Ion Iliescu, will be tried for crimes against humanity because of his role after Romania's bloody revolt in 1989, which overthrew the regime of communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
"It is a particularly important moment for the justice system in Romania, which is fulfilling a debt of honor for history," said the Romanian chief prosecutor Augustin Lazar.His announcement follows several years of investigations, which have often faced resistance from officials to investigate Ceausescu's post-clearance period from Bucharest on December 22, 1989. Iliescu was a government minister before leaving Ceausescu in the early 1970s. He has been re-elected as the leader of the National Salvation Front, a group that has taken control of Romania after Ceausescu and his wife, Elena, escaped as a result of the revolt that had started in the Western city of Timisoara and spread to the rest of the country. After Iliescu took control on December 22, 862 people were killed. Iliescu, now 89, was elected Romania's president in 1990, was re-elected in 1992 and served another term from 2000 to 2004.
Iliescu and the former Deputy Prime Minister Gelu Voican Voiculescu are accused of "spreading misinformation through TV appearances and announcements for press".
Their statements are said to have increased the risk of "chaotic shooting and contradictory military orders".
Iliescu will also have to respond to charges of crimes against humanity in connection with the repression of a protest in Bucharest in 1990, in which at least four people were killed. Even Iliescu and Voiculescu deny any wrongdoing. The trial date is not yet scheduled.