In communist Romania, people continuously tried to flee the country right from the beginnings of the regime. Even at the risk of being sent to prison for 20 years, Romanians found extreme and creative ways of escaping to the West.

 

 

The Viorel Chirilă CASE

After protesting against the communist regime's refusal to grant him a passport, Viorel Chirilă was arrested and sentenced to prison. It was the year 1974. After his release in 1976, Viorel Chirilă thought of a bold plan to escape – taking refuge in the US Embassy in Bucharest. He took several trips to Bucharest to watch the routine at the embassy.

 

One day he put on his bespoke suit, put all his papers in a business case and went to the embassy. Following closely the ambassador's car, which entered the embassy premises every morning at nine o'clock, Chirilă counted his steps, managing to 'spring' into the courtyard alongside the car. Even though Romanian agents followed him to the building of the embassy, an American marine stopped them, saving Viorel Chirilă. With support from the US, but also overcoming much hardship and pressure, Chirilă and his wife managed to get their passports and leave for the United States, forfeiting their Romanian citizenship.

 

 

 

The Constantin and Anca Dumitru CASE

Constantin and Anca Dumitru, who worked for Romanian state television in the '80s, managed to escape Romania in 1986 by swimming across the Danube. Reaching today's Serbia, the two turned themselves in to the police and were arrested. Shortly after, they were turned over to the Romanian authorities, along with other people in their situation.

 

They were sent to prison for almost a year, under harsh conditions. They tried escaping again after their release. Constantin Dumitru was apprehended by the authorities across the Danube and sent to jail again. Fortunately, he managed to pass the interview of the UN representatives, and left for Australia. He was followed by his wife and son.