Former Romanian President Ion Iliescu died at the age of 95

Former Romanian president Ion Iliescu, who presided over the chaotic transition from the country of communism to democracy, died at the age of 95.

Iliescu had received a diagnosis of lung cancer and hospitalized in early June in the capital of Romania, Bucharest.

“It is with a deep regret that the government announces the adoption of the former president of Romania, Mr. Ion Iliescu,” said a government statement, adding that the details of the state funeral would soon be shared.

Iliescu was the first freely elected president of Romania and served twice, from 1986 to 1996 and 2000-2004. He was accused of crimes against humanity on the violent revolt which overthrew the communist regime of Romania in 1989, but has always denied the reprehensible acts.

Accommodation was brought in 2019, but he was never convicted.

In a separate case, he was also charged with his role in the call in minors to crush students’ demonstrations after his election in 1990.

Bloody repression, which has become known under the name of Monriad, led to a general condemnation.

Before his last hospitalization, Iliescu had received regular medical examinations at the Elias hospital in Bucharest.

In 2019, he underwent surgery for pericardial effusion – a condition affecting the heart.

Born March 3, 1930, in the city of southern Oltenița, Iliescu had greatly withdrew from public life in recent years, although he sometimes shares messages written on his personal blog.

His last article, on May 19, congratulated the liberal mayor of Bucharest, the pro-EU mayor, Nicusor Dan, to be elected president.