Have you heard the tragic story of betrayal and sacrifice behind the Monumentul Luptătorului Antiterorist? This monument honors the anti-terrorist fighters. It stands as a solemn reminder of a dark chapter in Romania’s history. The Monumentul Luptătorului Antiterorist commemorates the eight USLA fighters. USLA is the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit. They were killed during the Romanian Revolution in December 1989.
The monument’s story began on the night of December 23rd. It goes into the 24th, 1989. These were early days of the Romanian Revolution. Initially, these men were celebrated as heroes. But twenty-one years later their titles were revoked. The CNSAS declared that they had engaged in political policing. Their role as officers of the Securitate was not considered. Their collaboration with this structure was inherent.
The Serviciul Român de Informații or SRI erected the Monumentul Luptătorului Antiterorist. It stands where these men died. The inauguration took place on December 20th, 2012. It is located on Drumul Taberei Boulevard. This is at the intersection with Vasile Milea Boulevard. George Maior head of the SRI, attended the event.
The monument bears the inscription. It reads: “In this place, seven anti-terrorist fighters fell in the line of duty on December 24, 1989.” The Monumentul Luptătorului Antiterorist also honors all heroes. They fell in anti-terrorist missions before and after 1989.
General Nicolae Militaru ordered the USLA fighters. Colonel Gheorghe Trosca led them. They were to defend the MApN headquarters from terrorists. MApN is now the headquarters of the Grand General Staff. The army’s tanks already protected the ministry. Minister Nicolae Militaru insisted that Colonel Ion Ardeleanu send Trosca.
Colonel Safta gave the order to the tanks to fire. He was later promoted to general. The call for help was a diversion. Two USLA teams arrived in ABIs. ABIs are armored vehicles. They sent the password and mission type. But they were ambushed. Eight USLA fighters died. Four others were badly wounded.
Ion Muicaru was decapitated. His head was placed on an ABI wheel with a cigarette in his mouth. Passersby spat and urinated on the bodies. The armored vehicle was marked with “Terrorists”.
Five men survived the massacre. Romulus Garz, Ștefan Soldea, and Petre Găinescu were USLA fighters. Ionel Păduraru was also a fighter. Constantin Isac was an FSN representative. He was sent to defend the MApN headquarters.
The heroes honored by the Monumentul Luptătorului Antiterorist are: Gheorghe Trosca. He was a colonel and Chief of Staff within USLA. Eugen Trandafir Cotună was a lieutenant colonel. Andrei Ștefan was a second lieutenant. Ion Muicaru was a second lieutenant. Emil Oprea was a second lieutenant. Florin-Constantin Surpățeanu was a second lieutenant. Teodor Neagoe was a second lieutenant. Ion Costache was a second lieutenant.
Their military ranks were given posthumously. Gheorghe Alexandru Trosca was a lieutenant colonel. He was the head of the USLA staff. Eugen Trandafir Cotună was a major. He headed the close protection service. The other deceased fighters were non-commissioned officers.
The USLA teams’ “confusion” with terrorists was revenge. Gheorghe Trosca exposed Nicolae Militaru as a GRU collaborator in the 1980s. Ceaușescu sidelined Militaru. But Iliescu reinstated him after the regime’s fall. He appointed him Minister of National Defense.
CNSAS stated that Trosca was an agent of the communist political police. In 2011, President Traian Băsescu revoked the title of Hero-Martyr of the Revolution. This was for Trosca and Eugen Trandafir Cotună.
Some believe General Nicolae Militaru killed Trosca for revenge. Trosca had revealed Militaru’s KGB ties. Trosca’s files show no connection to Militaru. Researchers consider the Militaru-Trosca conflict “invented”.
Near the Monumentul Luptătorului Antiterorist is Ciprian Pintea’s cenotaph. He was a student at the Military Technical Academy. He was one of eight military students who died on December 22, 1989. His death was similar to the USLA fighters’ fate.
On December 22nd, students were sent to defend the MApN. Due to poor coordination, the buses stopped near A 1 building on Drumul Taberei Street. A shootout began. Five students died. Eight were injured.
The monument serves as a reminder. It is a reminder of the military students. Their lives were cut short. This was due to the army’s chaotic leadership in December 1989. The Monumentul Luptătorului Antiterorist stands. It is a testament to their sacrifice. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of political intrigue.