Romanian prosecutors have charged the commander of a communist-era prison with genocide.

Romania launches 

first prosecution of communist-era atrocities

For the first time in the country's post-communist history, Romanian prosecutors have charged the commander of a communist-era prison with genocide. The BBC writes that Alexandru Visinescu, who ran the Ramnicu Sarat prison from 1956 to 1963, faces charges for alleged involvement in human rights abuses and the deaths of political dissidents.

Visinescu was charged after the Institute for the Investigation of Communist Crimes and the Memory of the Romanian Exile (IICCMER) referred the file to a court after an investigation carried out with the help of the Interior Ministry. His first hearing in the case was on 3 September, when he pleaded innocent on the grounds that he was following orders, according to the BBC.

In an August interview on Romanian television, Visinescu said he felt sorry for the camp's inmates but did what was expected of him in order to advance his career and escape the poverty of his childhood.

Valentin Cristea, the only surviving political dissident imprisoned at Ramnicu Sarat, recounted for the Gandul newspaper the deaths of fellow inmates. He said he is not seeking vengeance but that “such acts deserve at least a public admonishing,” and the fate of Visinescu should be decided by society.

However, Andrei Muraru, executive president of IICCMER, told Ziare.com he doubts Visinescu will serve time behind bars even if convicted, primarily because he is now 88.

In April, Muraru said the institute had identified 35 former prison officials from the communist era whose files will be taken to court.

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