Romania Convicted Ex General Smoked, Had Coffee Waiting For Release On Medical Grounds Ruling

Stanculescu was released in May for one year, as his lawyers argued he is critically ill. Military prosecutors appealed the ruling and the appeal was supposed to be tried on July 29, but was postponed for September 16, as Stanculescu was not present. His lawyers said at that time that the former general couldn't stand trial because he was in intensive care in the hospital.

At the term on Wednesday, Stanculescu smoked and drank coffee while waiting for the court's decision regarding his release, although his defense has repeatedly argued he is critically ill and has severe heart and lung problems. Visibly annoyed by reporters' questions concerning his state of health coupled with his smoking and coffee drinking, Stanculescu said he can do whatever he wants with his life.

On September 1, HotNews release a video of Stanculescu playing a machine in a casino in Bucharest, where he spent more than two hours. The retired general rebuked reporters who inquired about his state of health.

In October 2008, Romania's High Court of Justice sentenced Stanculescu to 15 years in prison for aggravated manslaughter during the 1989 revolution that started in the western Romanian city of Timisoara and ultimately led to the fall of the communist regime.

In December 17-20, 1989, security forces fired at civilians, killing 72 people and injuring 253. A woman was run over by a tank in the city and 43 people were severely beaten by security forces.

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