Criminal investigation initiated against former leaders of Romania
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis agreed to initiate a criminal investigation against the former leaders of the country, a message on the President’s website reveals.
Those under investigation are former President Ion Iliescu, former Prime Minister Petre Roman and former Deputy Prime Minister Gelu Voican Voiculescu.
The website message states: “On Friday April 13, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis referred an application to the Minister of Justice to start criminal prosecution against Ion Iliescu, Petre Roman, and Gelu Voican Voiculescu. These listed are the defendants in a criminal case, involved in crimes against humanity.”
Iliescu, Roman and Voiculescu agreed to use the country’s armed forces to suppress mass protests of miners in the summer of 1990, according to the investigation materials.
As a result of clashes between demonstrators and military personnel, 4 people were killed and about a thousand protesters were injured and wounded.
The case’s investigation was suspended. However, in 2015 it was resumed on the European Court of Human Rights’ recommendation.
Iliescu served as the President of Romania in 1990-1996 and also in 2000-2004.