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 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]
Victor Stănculescu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of National Defence | |
| In office 16 February 1990 – 29 April 1991 | |
| President | Ion Iliescu |
| Prime Minister | Petre Roman |
| Preceded by | Nicolae Militaru |
| Succeeded by | Niculae Spiroiu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Victor Atanasie Stănculescu 10 May 1928 Tecuci, Kingdom of Romania |
| Died | 19 June 2016 (aged 88) Ghermănești, Ilfov County, Romania |
| Alma mater | Carol I National Defence University |
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.