Updated

Romania's top court has ordered a probe into the miners' riots 25 years ago in Bucharest that left six people dead and more than 500 injured.

The High Court for Cassation and Justice on Monday approved a request by prosecutor-general Tiberiu Nitu who has said that Romania wrongly stopped probes into the riots three times.

Club-wielding coal miners and police in June 1990 broke up a pro-democracy protest in Bucharest, arresting and beating thousands of people.

Afterward, President Ion Iliescu thanked the miners, drawing criticism at home and abroad.

Thousands of Romanians emigrated after the riots amid doubts about Romania's commitment to democracy six months after the ouster and execution of Communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu.

The European Court of Human Rights has ordered Romania to pay compensation to victims.