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Communist-era Romanian prison commander jailed for 20 years Communist-era Romanian prison commander jailed for 20 years
(about 4 hours later)
A communist-era Romanian prison commander convicted of crimes against humanity for the deaths of 12 inmates has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, in the country’s first such trial.A communist-era Romanian prison commander convicted of crimes against humanity for the deaths of 12 inmates has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, in the country’s first such trial.
89-year-old Alexandru Visinescu, who was not in court to hear the ruling, has said he was merely following orders and has shown no remorse. The court ordered him to contribute, along with government agencies, to paying €300,000 (£210,000) to relatives of the victims. 89-year-old Alexandru Visinescu, who was not in court to hear the ruling, has said he was merely following orders, but has shown no remorse. The court ordered him to contribute, along with government agencies, to paying €300,000 (£210,000) to relatives of the victims.
Visinescu’s lawyer, Valentina Bornea, said her client was unhappy with the sentence but had not decided whether to appeal.Visinescu’s lawyer, Valentina Bornea, said her client was unhappy with the sentence but had not decided whether to appeal.
From 1956 to 1963, Visinescu ran Râmnicu Sărat, a prison in eastern Romania where intellectuals and political and military officials were tortured and sometimes killed.From 1956 to 1963, Visinescu ran Râmnicu Sărat, a prison in eastern Romania where intellectuals and political and military officials were tortured and sometimes killed.
“This is a moral victory for us,” said Anca Cernea, whose father and grandfather were political prisoners at Râmnicu Sărat. “He committed crimes and however long has passed since then, he should still be punished.”“This is a moral victory for us,” said Anca Cernea, whose father and grandfather were political prisoners at Râmnicu Sărat. “He committed crimes and however long has passed since then, he should still be punished.”
Prosecutors said detainees were kept in unheated cells, kept in solitary confinement, severely underfed, denied medical treatment and beaten in “a regime of extermination”. About 138 inmates were incarcerated under Visinescu’s command. Prosecutors said detainees were kept in unheated cells and solitary confinement, were severely underfed, denied medical treatment and beaten in “a regime of extermination”. About 138 inmates were incarcerated under Visinescu’s command.
“This is the most important decision ever taken by Romania’s justice system regarding accountability for the communist era,” said Andrei Muraru, who initiated the case in 2013 when he was head of the institute investigating crimes under communism. “This confirms a transformation in the justice system.”“This is the most important decision ever taken by Romania’s justice system regarding accountability for the communist era,” said Andrei Muraru, who initiated the case in 2013 when he was head of the institute investigating crimes under communism. “This confirms a transformation in the justice system.”
About 500,000 Romanians were held as political prisoners in the 1950s and early 60s. Visinescu is the first prison commander from that time to stand trial.About 500,000 Romanians were held as political prisoners in the 1950s and early 60s. Visinescu is the first prison commander from that time to stand trial.
Ion Ficior, who ran the Periprava labour camp, is awaiting trial for crimes against humanity for the deaths of 103 people there.Ion Ficior, who ran the Periprava labour camp, is awaiting trial for crimes against humanity for the deaths of 103 people there.