The 1989 Romanian Revolution was kicked off by events in Timişoara (Hungarian: Temesvár, German: Temeschwar). The authorities wanted to evict László Tőkés, an ethic-Hungarian pastor [and later ever-more-insane nationalist politician], but were prevented by his flock forming a 'human shield'. Within days, this showing grew into a mass protest of citizens of all backgrounds. The regime reacted with a bloody clampdown -- the (as we later learnt, exaggerated) news of which ignited the events in the capital Bucharest.
Legal persecution of the two generals ordering the massacre at Timişoara was first hampered by the foul power compromise of the new powers-that-be (who in effect benefitted from the revolution by staging a long-planned coup under its mantle), and later, legal troubles (the two generals were first sentenced in 2000).
Now, the High Court issued its final ruling: 15 years in prison. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Thanks. Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.
Frank Delaney ~ Ireland
Romania court upholds sentences against 2 generals - International Herald Tribune
Romania's Supreme Court upheld 15-year prison sentences against two retired army generals convicted for their role in killing demonstrators while trying to suppress the 1989 anti-communist revolution that toppled dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. The court's ruling Wednesday -- the second in the case in almost a decade -- is final. In 1999, Victor Stanculescu and Mihai Chitac were convicted for the first time of trying to quell the anti-communist revolt in the western city of Timisoara. But in 2001, the country's prosecutor general ordered retrials for the two men in what was seen as a politically motivated move. In 2007, they were again convicted of murder and attempted murder but appealed the ruling. Both generals held senior positions in Ceausescu's regime and they were dispatched to crack down on demonstrators in Timisoara. It was the first city in Romania to protest against Ceausescu's dictatorship -- and 72 people died and 253 were wounded in chaotic shooting. After the revolution, Stanculescu and Chitac took office in the first post-communist government. Chitac became interior minister in 1990 and Stanculescu was industry minister and later defense minister.
Romania's Supreme Court upheld 15-year prison sentences against two retired army generals convicted for their role in killing demonstrators while trying to suppress the 1989 anti-communist revolution that toppled dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
The court's ruling Wednesday -- the second in the case in almost a decade -- is final. In 1999, Victor Stanculescu and Mihai Chitac were convicted for the first time of trying to quell the anti-communist revolt in the western city of Timisoara.
But in 2001, the country's prosecutor general ordered retrials for the two men in what was seen as a politically motivated move. In 2007, they were again convicted of murder and attempted murder but appealed the ruling.
Both generals held senior positions in Ceausescu's regime and they were dispatched to crack down on demonstrators in Timisoara. It was the first city in Romania to protest against Ceausescu's dictatorship -- and 72 people died and 253 were wounded in chaotic shooting.
After the revolution, Stanculescu and Chitac took office in the first post-communist government. Chitac became interior minister in 1990 and Stanculescu was industry minister and later defense minister.
