December 6, 1950. Nicolae Purcărea and two other colleagues in the room were preparing to celebrate their name day. Suddenly, Eugen Țurcanu, a physically solid prisoner, enters the cell and tells everyone that they have to unmask themselves. And then he gives the signal: "on them!".

Suddenly some of the prisoners pull out poles, broomsticks and chair legs and start hitting the others. Nicolae Purcărea was paralyzed by the shock of the moment. Not only did the blows take him by surprise, but also the fact that those who knocked him down were the detainees, just like him, who, just a few moments ago, seemed to have the same beliefs as him.

The beating lasted for several hours. The victims were forced to strip of their clothes and were given only a shirt, while the few things they had left were taken.