Trial Of Romanian Miners Leader Miron Cozma Suspended

Cozma’s lawyer said that defendants in the same situation as Cozma, who fulfill all probation requirements should get parole from the penitentiary commission and not a courthouse.

 “It is not normal that another judge, with the same attributions as the penitentiary magistrate, censure the latter’s decision. Miron Cozma is fighting for the rights of all other inmates. He is willing to make a sacrifice and remain in detention until December 2,” his lawyer said.

The district five magistrates discussed Tuesday, a week before Cozma’s prison-term is up, the proposal of the special commission of the Rahova Penitentiary to release the former leader of Romanian miners.

The special commission of Rahova penitentiary decided Friday, November 16, to release Cozma on parole.

Cozma, together with retiring lieutenant colonel Silviu Popescu, was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment, by the High Court, on February 15, 1999, for instigation to undermining of state power, in connection to the 1991 miners’ riots, which led to the fall of the Romanian Government.

 Cozma served ten years in prison, after the pardoning of some counts in 2004.