Former Romanian President Ion Ellisco, 95, dies

Former Romanian President Ion Ellisco, who headed the transition of the chaotic country from communism to democracy, died at the age of 95.

Illisco was diagnosed with lung cancer and was hospitalized in early June in the capital of Romania, Bucharest.

A government statement said: “Unfortunately, the government announces the death of the former president of Romania, Mr. Illisco,” adding that details of the state’s funeral will be shared soon.

Iliescu was the first elected president of Romania, and he served twice, from 1986-1996 and 2000-2004. He was accused of crimes against humanity because of the violent revolution that overthrew the Communist Romania in 1989, but he has always denied any violations.

The accusations were charged in 2019, but he never owed.

In a separate case, he was also accused of his role in calling miners to crush students’ protests after his election in 1990.

The bloody campaign, which has become known as Mineriad, has sparked widespread international condemnation.

Before he was hospitalized, Iliescu was receiving regular medical examinations at Elias Hospital in Bucharest.

In 2019, he underwent a pericardial pynecosis – a condition that affects the heart.

Born in March 3, 1930, in the southern city of Oltenița, ILIESCU has been largely withdrawn from public life in recent years, although he sometimes shared written messages on his personal blog.

On May 19, his last position congratulated the liberal Bucharest Mayor, supporter of the European Union, Nikosiur Dan, on his president.