Romania probes former leaders' roles in 1990 protest deaths
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Romania's military prosecutors have launched a criminal inquiry into former President Ion Iliescu and an ex-prime minister over the deaths of four people when coal miners violently broke up an anti-government protest in 1990.
Prosecutors said Iliescu, former Premier Petre Roman, the then-head of the intelligence agency and other officials had a role in the deaths during the June 1990 anti-government protests. Some 1,300 were injured when club-wielding miners descended on Bucharest and broke up the demonstrations.
Military prosecutors said Friday the group "agreed, organized and coordinated a general and systematic attack against civilians," including demonstrators and Bucharest residents. They said armed government forces and workers attacked civilians.
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Roman called the inquiry "unfounded and absurd." Iliescu has denied the accusations.