Ion Iliescu: Former Romanian President dies aged 95

He was Romania's first freely elected leader after communism fell in 1989, and later faced charges of crimes against humanity.

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Iliescu had been diagnosed with lung cancer and hospitalised in early June in Romania's capital, Bucharest.

"It is with deep regret that the government announces the passing of the former President of Romania, Mr Ion Iliescu," a government statement said.

Iliescu was Romania's first freely elected president, and served twice, between 1990-1996 and 2000-2004. He was accused of crimes against humanity over the violent revolt that toppled Romania's communist regime in 1989, but always denied wrongdoing.

Born in 1930, in the southern city of Oltenita, Iliescu studied engineering in Russia, and later returned to Romania, where he joined the Communist Party.