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[clarification needed] of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu during the Romanian Revolution of December 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, Stănculescu organized the trial and execution of Ceaușescu and his wife, Elena Ceaușescu.[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 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] His remains were cremated at the Vitan-Bârzești Crematorium.[5]
References
- ^ "Ceausescu execution 'avoided mob lynching'". BBC. 25 December 2009. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
- ^ "Romanian Ex-General Mihai Chitac Dies After Long Illness". Mediafax. 1 November 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
- ^ "Victor Stănculescu, eliberat din închisoare". România Liberă. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ Sam Roberts (June 21, 2016). "Victor Stanculescu, 88, Romanian General Who Turned Against Ceausescu, Dies". The New York Times.
- ^ Cătălin Azinicăi (22 June 2016). "Ion Iliescu, la ceremonia de la Crematoriul Vitan-Bârzești unde a fost incinerat Atanasie Stănculescu" (in Romanian). Mediafax. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
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