Victor Stănculescu

Victor Stănculescu
Minister of National Defence
In office
February 16, 1990  April 29, 1991
President Ion Iliescu
Prime Minister Petre Roman
Preceded by Nicolae Militaru
Succeeded by Nicolae Spiroiu
Personal details
Born Victor Atanasie Stănculescu
(1928-05-10)May 10, 1928
Tecuci, Romania
Died June 19, 2016(2016-06-19) (aged 88)
Ghermănești, Ilfov

Victor Atanasie Stănculescu (May 10, 1928 – June 19, 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 Ceauşescu 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 and Elena Ceauşescu.[1]

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 Timişoara, during the Romanian Revolution of 1989.[2] Sentenced to fifteen years' imprisonment, he was freed in 2014.[3]

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.
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