Ion Iliescu, Romania’s first democratically elected president and a key figure in the country’s shift from communist rule, has died at the age of 95.

He passed away after being hospitalised in early June in Bucharest, where he was receiving treatment for lung cancer.

In a statement confirming his death, the government said: "It is with deep regret that the government announces the passing of the former President of Romania, Mr Ion Iliescu," and added that details of a state funeral would be made public soon.

Iliescu led Romania during two separate terms, from 1986 to 1996 and later from 2000 to 2004. He rose to power following the violent revolution that overthrew the communist regime in 1989 and was seen as a central figure in Romania's move towards democracy. However, his legacy has remained controversial.

He faced accusations of crimes against humanity for his role in the events of December 1989, when dozens were killed during the revolt.

Though charges were brought against him in 2019, he was never convicted and consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Iliescu also faced separate charges for his involvement in the Mineriad,  a violent crackdown on student protests in 1990, when he called in miners to suppress dissent in Bucharest.

The incident led to widespread international criticism and remains one of the darkest moments of post-communist Romania.

Before his most recent hospitalisation, Iliescu had been undergoing regular check-ups at Elias Hospital in Bucharest. He had undergone heart surgery in 2019 after being diagnosed with pericardial effusion.

Born on 3 March 1930 in the town of Oltenița in southern Romania, Iliescu gradually retreated from the public eye in recent years but occasionally shared his views through personal blog posts.

His last message, published on 19 May, was a congratulatory note to Bucharest’s liberal mayor, Nicusor Dan, upon his election as president.