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| Ion Iliescu: Former Romanian President dies aged 95 | Ion Iliescu: Former Romanian President dies aged 95 |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Ion Iliescu pictured in 1996 | Ion Iliescu pictured in 1996 |
| Former Romanian President Ion Iliescu, who presided over the country's chaotic transition from communism to democracy, has died aged 95. | Former Romanian President Ion Iliescu, who presided over the country's chaotic transition from communism to democracy, has died aged 95. |
| Iliescu had been diagnosed with lung cancer and hospitalised in early June in Romania's capital, Bucharest. | Iliescu had been diagnosed with lung cancer and hospitalised in early June in Romania's capital, Bucharest. |
| "It is with deep regret that the government announces the passing of the former President of Romania, Mr Ion Iliescu," a government statement said. | "It is with deep regret that the government announces the passing of the former President of Romania, Mr Ion Iliescu," a government statement said. |
| Iliescu was Romania's first freely elected president, and served twice, between 1990-1996 and 2000-2004. He was accused of crimes against humanity over the violent revolt that toppled Romania's communist regime in 1989, but always denied wrongdoing. | Iliescu was Romania's first freely elected president, and served twice, between 1990-1996 and 2000-2004. He was accused of crimes against humanity over the violent revolt that toppled Romania's communist regime in 1989, but always denied wrongdoing. |
| Born in 1930, in the southern city of Oltenita, Iliescu studied engineering in Russia, and later returned to Romania, where he joined the Communist Party. | Born in 1930, in the southern city of Oltenita, Iliescu studied engineering in Russia, and later returned to Romania, where he joined the Communist Party. |
| He left politics in 1980 but re-emerged nine years later, during the revolution. | He left politics in 1980 but re-emerged nine years later, during the revolution. |
| Following his election as president in 1990 with the Social Democratic Party, he was re-elected for a four-year term but then defeated in 1996. | Following his election as president in 1990 with the Social Democratic Party, he was re-elected for a four-year term but then defeated in 1996. |
| He returned to power in 2000 for a third and final term, during which Romania joined Nato and launched its bid for EU membership. | He returned to power in 2000 for a third and final term, during which Romania joined Nato and launched its bid for EU membership. |
| Obituary: Romania's first democratic leader with a divisive legacy | |
| Iliescu had largely withdrawn from public life in recent years, during which he faced charges of crimes against humanity but was never convicted. | Iliescu had largely withdrawn from public life in recent years, during which he faced charges of crimes against humanity but was never convicted. |
| Prosecutors in 2018 formally indicted Iliescu over his role in the 1989 revolution, during which he rose to power. | Prosecutors in 2018 formally indicted Iliescu over his role in the 1989 revolution, during which he rose to power. |
| More than 1,000 people were killed during the revolt, and prosecutors alleged that Iliescu - who had taken control of the military - failed to prevent "numerous situations" where people were needlessly killed. He was also accused of spreading misinformation through the media that caused panic. | |
| The charges were ultimately dropped. | The charges were ultimately dropped. |
| In a separate case, he was also charged over his role in calling in miners to crush student protests after his election in 1990. | In a separate case, he was also charged over his role in calling in miners to crush student protests after his election in 1990. |
| Several people died and around 1,000 others were wounded in the bloody crackdown, which became known as the Mineriad and drew widespread international condemnation. That case was also dropped. | Several people died and around 1,000 others were wounded in the bloody crackdown, which became known as the Mineriad and drew widespread international condemnation. That case was also dropped. |
| More than 1,100 people were killed during Romania's 1989 revolution | More than 1,100 people were killed during Romania's 1989 revolution |
| Iliescu's death on Tuesday prompted his political allies and rivals to reflect on the complex and often contentious legacy he leaves behind. | Iliescu's death on Tuesday prompted his political allies and rivals to reflect on the complex and often contentious legacy he leaves behind. |
| Romania's current President Nicusor Dan said that "history will judge" Iliescu, whom he called "the central character of the 90s transition". | Romania's current President Nicusor Dan said that "history will judge" Iliescu, whom he called "the central character of the 90s transition". |
| "It is our responsibility to clarify the major unresolved cases of that era, in order to move forward with full awareness," Dan added, ending his message with "may God forgive him". | "It is our responsibility to clarify the major unresolved cases of that era, in order to move forward with full awareness," Dan added, ending his message with "may God forgive him". |
| Former Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, said the country had lost "one of the most influential personalities in its recent history". | Former Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, said the country had lost "one of the most influential personalities in its recent history". |
| "Ion Iliescu, an emblematic leader of Romanian social democracy, was a defining figure in our country's transition to democratic and European values after the 1989 Revolution." | "Ion Iliescu, an emblematic leader of Romanian social democracy, was a defining figure in our country's transition to democratic and European values after the 1989 Revolution." |
| Sorin Grindeanu, the current leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), said that Iliescu "remains the social-democratic leader who fundamentally shaped the party's development – a politician who showed deep empathy for those in difficulty". | Sorin Grindeanu, the current leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), said that Iliescu "remains the social-democratic leader who fundamentally shaped the party's development – a politician who showed deep empathy for those in difficulty". |
| "Regardless of divergent views, his contribution to Romania's transition to democracy remains part of our collective memory." | "Regardless of divergent views, his contribution to Romania's transition to democracy remains part of our collective memory." |
| Romania joined Nato and launched its bid for EU membership during Iliescu's final term as Romania's president | Romania joined Nato and launched its bid for EU membership during Iliescu's final term as Romania's president |
| Iliescu's health had declined in recent years. Prior to his latest hospitalisation, he had been receiving regular medical check-ups at Elias Hospital in Bucharest. | Iliescu's health had declined in recent years. Prior to his latest hospitalisation, he had been receiving regular medical check-ups at Elias Hospital in Bucharest. |
| In 2019, he underwent surgery for pericardial effusion - a condition affecting the heart. | In 2019, he underwent surgery for pericardial effusion - a condition affecting the heart. |
| He had no children and is survived by his wife, Nina Serbanescu. His state funeral will take place over two days, on 6 and 7 August. | He had no children and is survived by his wife, Nina Serbanescu. His state funeral will take place over two days, on 6 and 7 August. |
| During this, his body will lie in state in Bucharest so the public can pay their respects. A military funeral service will then be held for him at the Ghencea Military Cemetery. | During this, his body will lie in state in Bucharest so the public can pay their respects. A military funeral service will then be held for him at the Ghencea Military Cemetery. |