BUCHAREST, Romania, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Outgoing Romanian President Ion Iliescu Friday revoked a controversial pardon for a miners' leader who led riots against the first post-communist government.
In a parting gesture, Iliescu pardoned Miron Cozma Thursday. Cozma is serving an 18 year prison sentence for leading thousands of miners to Bucharest in 1991 where they burned down the parliament building and forced the reformist prime minister to resign.
Iliescu's critics say he may have had a hand in encouraging the miners' actions and his initial decision to issue the pardon provoked an uproar.
Cozma, who was released Thursday, was re-arrested following the revocation of the pardon.
Traiam Basescu, the centrist mayor of Bucharest, assumes the presidency Monday. Basescu emerged as the surprise winner in a runoff vote last weekend against Prime Minister Adrian Nastase.
Romania hopes to join the European Union in 2007 or 2008 at the latest along with Bulgaria and possibly Croatia.
