Ion Iliescu

Ion Iliescu (born March 3, 1930) is a Romanian politician. He was the President of Romania for eleven years, from 1990 to 1996, and 2000 to 2004. His final term ended in December 2004, and his successor is Democrat leader Traian B?sescu. Currently, Ion Iliescu is a Senator from SDP party. In 2005 investigations began that should eventually lead to his being put on trial for a number of accusations, including crimes against humanity, related to the bloody abuses of power he committed during the years 1989-1990, especially during the 1989 Romanian Revolution and the Mineriads.

Quotes

• "Nicolae Ceau?escu tarnished the noble ideals of Socialism and Communism" ? Iliescu on national TV, 22 December 1989, shortly after Ceau?escu had fled.
• "You, animal !" Iliescu shouting at a press journalist in Constan?a
• "The lawyer is the devil's judge. Lawyers' profession is one of private interests not of morality. He is paid, he pleads for his clients. Such is the logic and morality of a lawyer." Ion Iliescu, trying to defend his own lawyer on June 9, 2005. http://www.ziua.net/display.php?id=14698&data=2005-06-10 - in Romanian