Romania’s former President Ion Iliescu who has been charged with crimes against humanity for his role in the aftermath of the violent revolt that toppled the communist regime in 1989 on Wednesday sought to paint himself as a benign leader who oversaw the difficult transition to a democracy.
In a statement to mark 32 years since the revolution which saw him emerge as a leader even as more than 1,100 died, he called the uprising ” an act of courage and dignity of the Romanian nation.”
Whitewashed version
Prosecutors do not agree with his version of events, however. Mr Iliescu and two others are accused of spreading disinformation in their TV appearances and statements, increasing the risk of „chaotic shooting”.
After he took power, 862 people were killed. The charges were brought in 2019 at the end of a long-running investigation but there has been no trial.
Mr Iliescu, 91, denies any wrongdoing.
Magic wand
Instead, he sought to put a positive spin on events.
Laying out the difficulties in the years following the revolt, he said: “We didn’t have a magic wand that would allow us to change things overnight.”
He said the years after the Ceausescus were overthrown and executed were “years of sacrifices, shortages, painful economic changes and failures.”
“We were walking on a road that no one had walked before. We have achieved what we set out to do as a strategic goal, and join EU and NATO,” he said.
The former communist apparatchik who fell out with Ceausescu won a landslide victory in 1990 and was re-elected in 1992 to a four-year term. He won another term in 2000. He remains a divisive figure.
Confrontation
“We chose consensus as a method of governing, although there were moments of confrontation on the streets, but also on the political stage.”
“Political opponents are not enemies that must be destroyed. Dialogue and negotiation are not signs of weakness,” he said.
The two other men charged with crimes against humanity are former Deputy Prime Minister Gelu Voican Voiculescu and former Air Force Cdr Iosif Rus. No date for the trial has yet been set.
Misinformation
Prosecutors accuse Mr Iliescu and Mr Voiculescu of „directly spreading misinformation through televised appearances and press releases, contributing to the institution of a generalized psychosis”.
Their statements increased the risk of „instances of friendly fire, chaotic shooting and contradictory military orders”, prosecutors said.
Mr Iliescu did not touch on the controversy or charges against him. He ended his message saying: “Romania is a project for everyone. Only in this way does the Romanian Revolution have a meaning and a finality.”
