Former Romanian President Ion Iliescu’s condition has worsened with the former leader struggling to breathe unaided, doctors at the “Agrippa Ionescu” hospital in Bucharest said on Wednesday.
The former president, 95, was admitted to intensive care on June 8 and showed some improvement after a few days, medics said.
But underlying pulmonary disease has complicated his recovery, the doctors said in a press release.
“The patient’s general condition worsened, with significant breathing difficulties. The multidisciplinary medical team established this morning the opportunity to perform a surgical procedure to ensure the permeability of the upper airways. The intervention occurred without incident, and the patient remains hospitalized in the intensive care unit, where he receives the necessary medical care,” the health unit said.
On Monday, Mr. Iliescu, who served as president three times, underwent surgery to help his breathing.
The hospital promised to provide health updates in the interests of transparency and, “in compliance with regulations and the patient’s wishes”.
Mr. Iliescu is facing charges of crimes against humanity for his role in the revolution where more than 1,100 people died.
Sidelined by Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in the 1980s, he ran a publishing house at the time of the revolution and went on to be president three times.
In recent years, Iliescu has not appeared in public, but occasionally posts on his personal blog.
His last blog on May 19 was a congratulatory message to President Nicuşor Dan on his election to the presidency.
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