Victor Stănculescu

Victor Atanasie Stănculescu (10 May 1928 – 19 June 2016) was a Romanian general during the Communist era. He played a central role in the overthrow of the dictatorship by refusing to carry out the orders of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu during the Romanian Revolution of 1989. His inaction allowed the citizens demonstrating in Bucharest against the government to seize control. In addition, as a defense minister on 25 December 1989, Stanculescu organized the trial and execution of Nicolae Ceaușescu and Elena Ceaușescu.[1]

Victor Stănculescu
Minister of National Defence
In office
16 February 1990 – 29 April 1991
PresidentIon Iliescu
Prime MinisterPetre Roman
Preceded byNicolae Militaru
Succeeded byNicolae Spiroiu
Personal details
Born
Victor Atanasie Stănculescu

(1928-05-10)10 May 1928
Tecuci, Romania
Died19 June 2016(2016-06-19) (aged 88)
Ghermănești, Ilfov

In 2008, Stănculescu and another general, former Interior Minister Mihai Chițac, were convicted of aggravated manslaughter by the Supreme Court for the shooting deaths of pro-democracy protesters in Timișoara, during the Romanian Revolution of 1989.[2] Sentenced to fifteen years' imprisonment, he was freed in 2014.[3]

He died in 2016 at age 88.[4]

References
  1. "Ceausescu execution 'avoided mob lynching'". BBC. 25 December 2009. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  2. "Romanian Ex-General Mihai Chitac Dies After Long Illness". Mediafax. 1 November 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  3. "Victor Stănculescu, eliberat din închisoare". România Liberă. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  4. Victor Stanculescu, 88, Romanian General Who Turned Against Ceausescu, Dies, Sam Roberts, New York Times, June 21, 2016
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.