(ANSA) - TRIESTE - The Romanian High Court of Cassation and Justice has confirmed a 20 year jail sentence to a 90-year old ex prison warden, Alexandru Visinescu, for crimes against humanity, Agerpres reported. Visinescu has been condemned for the abuse of political prisoners under the communist regime, during his service at the Ramnicu Sarat penitentiary, from 1956 to 1963. According to the sentence he physically abused the prisoners and deprived them of food, heating and medical care with the aim of physical extermination. The Supreme Court has rejected all the appeals.

The sentence includes damage compensations to the families of three out of the total of 138 victims identified so far. The ministries of finance and internal affairs and the National Administration of Penitentiaries were deemed solidary to compensations worth 300,000 euros.(ANSA).