Former Romanian President Ion Iliescu has died at the age of 95, the government press service announced. He had been suffering from lung cancer and had spent two months in the "Prof. Dr. Agripa Ionescu" hospital in Bucharest. The politician died today in the hospital, according to the information released.
Iliescu is the first president of Romania elected since the 1989 Revolution that overthrew the regime of Nicolae Ceausescu. He served three terms as head of state - from December 22, 1989 to 1992, then from 1992 to 1996. and between 2000 and 2004.
He was charged with crimes against humanity in a case related to the 1989 anti-communist revolution. Iliescu was also sent to trial in a case related to the 1990 miners' strikes, also on charges of crimes against humanity. Due to his advanced age and health, prosecutors took statements at his home.
In recent years, he has rarely appeared in public, but has posted messages on his blog. The last one was on May 19, when Ion Iliescu congratulated Nicușor Dan on his election as president of Romania.