Ion Iliescu, the former President of Romania who oversaw the nation’s transition from communism to democracy, has died at the age of 95.
Iliescu had been diagnosed with lung cancer and was hospitalised in Bucharest, the Romanian capital, earlier this month.
“It is with profound regret that the government announces the death of the former President of Romania, Mr. Ion Iliescu,” read a government statement, adding that details regarding a state funeral would be forthcoming.
Serving two terms, from 1986-1996 and 2000-2004, Iliescu was Romania’s first freely elected president. He faced accusations of crimes against humanity related to the violent revolution of 1989, which resulted in the fall of Romania’s communist regime, though he consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Formal charges were filed in 2019, but a conviction was never secured.
Separately, he was also indicted for his role in summoning miners to suppress student protests following his election in 1990.
This crackdown, known as the Mineriad, was met with widespread condemnation internationally.
Prior to his recent hospitalisation, Iliescu had been undergoing routine medical evaluations at Elias Hospital in Bucharest.
In 2019, he underwent surgery to address pericardial effusion, a heart condition.
Born on March 3, 1930, in Oltenița, Iliescu had largely retreated from public view in recent years, though he occasionally shared written messages on his personal blog.
His final post, dated May 19, offered congratulations to Bucharest’s liberal, pro-EU mayor, Nicusor Dan, on his election as president.