Former Romanian President Ion Iliescu, long revered as the "little father" of the Romanian nation but also accused of being responsible for the chaotic transition of this Eastern European country from communism to democracy, died today at the age of 95, the government announced.

"It is with deep regret that the government announces the death of former Romanian President Ion Iliescu. The former president died today, August 5, 2025," the statement quoted by AFP said.

The government expressed its condolences to Iliescu's family and all his loved ones.

It added that details of the state funeral would be announced in the coming days.

Iliescu was hospitalized with lung cancer in early June. Last week, the Bucharest hospital where he was being treated said his condition was "critical."

The influential politician was last seen in public in 2017, when he was questioned by prosecutors.

Born on March 3, 1930, Iliescu was youth minister in the government of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. However, in the 1970s, he fell out of favor and was removed from power.

He rose to power during the anti-communist uprising in December 1989 that toppled Ceausescu in circumstances that remain unclear, and proclaimed himself leader of the interim government, the National Salvation Front.

Ilieu won a convincing victory in the country's first democratic elections in May 1990.

He was re-elected for a four-year term in 1992 but was defeated in the 1996 elections before returning to power in 2000 for the last term allowed by the Constitution.

During his third term, Romania joined NATO in 2004 and signed the treaty to join the European Union, with membership taking effect in 2007.

Over the past two decades, Iliescu has been accused of crimes against humanity for the violence during the fall of communism.

In a separate case, he has also been accused of his role in calling on miners to disperse student protests after his election in 1990.

The crackdown sparked widespread international condemnation.

However, due to legal disputes, Iliescu, who denies committing any crimes, has not been tried in either case. | BGNES