BBC News Online: World: Europe

Ceausescu era general charged over 1989 revolution shootings

Military prosecutors in Romania have charged a former general for allegedly ordering his troops to fire on demonstrators during the first days of the 1989 anti-communist revolution.

The decision follows an investigation ordered last month by Romania's newly-elected reformist government, to finally bring to justice those held responsible for the bloodshed, which preceded the overthrow of communist dictator Nikolai Ceausescu.

An earlier report in 1990, concluded that the general Victor Stanculescu should be charged with responsibility for the killing of demonstrators in the western city of Timisoara, but no action was taken.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service