On 16 December outgoing President Ion Iliescu pardoned Miron Cozma, the jailed leader of Jiu Valley coal miners who was serving an 18-year sentence for having brought about the overthrow of the government headed by Petre Roman in September 1991. The miners led by Cozma repeatedly stormed Bucharest in 1990 and 1991 and sought to march on the capital in 1999 in an apparent coup attempt.
In granting the pardon, Iliescu, whom, in the early 90s opposition parties accused of having orchestrated the miners’ rampages, defined it as "an act of clemency".
Outgoing Prime Minster Adrian Nastase who countersigned the pardon said he was "not informed enough" to comment on the pardon.
In granting the pardon, Iliescu, whom, in the early 90s opposition parties accused of having orchestrated the miners’ rampages, defined it as "an act of clemency".
Outgoing Prime Minster Adrian Nastase who countersigned the pardon said he was "not informed enough" to comment on the pardon.
