He was tortured by the very students he had always loved

…The political officer Chirion committed other crimes. He transferred Dr. Simionescu to the brigade of the torturer Bogdănescu to be killed.

Dr. Simionescu, a native of Turnu Măgurele, a former Minister of Health, had been the leader of the 1922 generation. His fault? He had told another prisoner the news that he had probably heard from a snitch: that Charles de Gaulle had come to power in France.

The rumour spread through the camp and the political prisoners had put high hopes in General de Gaulle.

Chirion often spread false news to demoralise the prisoners.

Doctor Simionescu was tortured day after day with unbridled cruelty, even by the students he had always loved. Bogdănescu and his shock troops broke his ribs, then took him to the brick factory in Năvodari and beat him to work.

Dr. Simionescu could no longer bear the torture and humiliation: one day he walked towards the Security Service cordon, pretending to run away. Although he could hardly move, with broken bones, a Security Service soldier shot him, killing him instantly. The assassin was rewarded with some annual leave.

(Remus Radina – The Mortuary Will)