Ion Iliescu funeral/ Over a thousand people at the catafalque

More than a thousand people on Wednesday passed for five hours before the catafalque of Ion Iliescu, laying in state in the Union Hall of the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.

Those who chose to mourn near the catafalque between, mainly elderly but also mature and young, crossed themselves and bowed. Some wept, knelt, and even cried.

In the morning, between 09:30hrs and 12:30hrs, high ranking officials presented their condolences.

Soldiers of the 30th Mihai Viteazu Guards Regiment permanently guarded the catafalque.

Among those who visited the Union Hall on Wednesday were MP George Becali, former Minister of Education Ecaterina Andronescu, former Minister of Labour Simona Bucura-Oprescu, former Bucharest Sector 5 Mayor Marian Vanghelie, former director of the National Archives of Romania Ioan Dragan, journalist Elena Vijulie-Tanase,

In rare moments, the line at the entrance from Geniului Boulevard exceeded twenty persons.

Starting at 18:30hrs, collaborators and close friends of the late president will present condolences, and at 19:00hrs a prayer service is scheduled. The service will be celebrated by the assistant bishop of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Timotei Prahoveanul. At 20:00hrs the procession ends, and during the night only the guard of honour will remain at the catafalque.

Children under the age of 14 are not allowed.

Flowers and candles are deposited only in the specially arranged space in front of Cotroceni Palace, on the sidewalk of Geniului Boulevard.