More than 16 months after the death of Andrei Drăgan, the 16-year-old teenager from Târgu-Jiu, the investigation is moving at a snail's pace. The Foundation for the Defence of Citizens Against State Abuses (FACIAS) has officially notified the new Prosecutor General, Cristina Chiriac, accusing unjustified delays and requesting the urgent acceleration of the procedures in a case that has shocked public opinion.
The case of Andrei Drăgan, the 16-year-old teenager who died in November 2024 in a state medical facility in Târgu-Jiu, is back in the spotlight after FACIAS sent an official request to the General Prosecutor's Office, reporting serious blocks in the investigation. FACIAS draws attention to the fact that, despite the seriousness of the facts and the major public interest, the criminal file on suspicions of manslaughter has not been finalized to date. Moreover, no responsible person has been brought to justice, and the sanctions applied so far are exclusively administrative: warnings and temporary salary reductions for the medical staff involved.
FACIAS's approach comes at a key moment: The Târgu-Jiu Court officially found that the duration of the criminal investigation is excessive and set a deadline for the 30th of June, 2026 to complete the investigation and bring the guilty persons before justice.
According to the analysed documents, the case raises serious questions about the medical intervention. Although the teenager had been diagnosed with a condition that required emergency surgery, the surgeon allegedly refused the intervention, citing a lack of competence, and decided to transfer the patient. Meanwhile, the young man's condition deteriorated rapidly, and delayed decisions, including the lack of a complete transfer crew, may have contributed decisively to the tragic outcome. Moreover, the disciplinary committee found deficiencies in internal communication and the delayed reaction of the medical staff, given that the legislation allows emergency intervention even outside strict competences, when the patient's life is in danger.
FACIAS is emphasizing that the delay in completing the investigation and sending the guilty persona to trial can no longer be treated as a simple administrative dysfunction, but risks becoming a violation of fundamental rights, including the right to a fair trial within a reasonable time, as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights. In this context, FACIAS is requesting the Prosecutor General to initiate a higher hierarchical control to expedite the investigation, but also to verify the authorities' refusal to communicate information of public interest regarding the status of the file. The case is all the more sensitive since, according to the data on file, the concerned persons continued their medical activity without restrictions, despite existing suspicions and the already submitted evidence.
FACIAS warns that the lack of a fast and firm reaction from the authorities not only affects public trust in the justice system, but may perpetuate real risks in the medical system, where similar situations have continued to occur even after this case. Finally, FACIAS insists that its intervention does not represent an interference with the act of justice, but a legitimate effort by civil society to respect the rule of law and to find the truth in a case that shook Romania.
Almost a year and a half after the tragedy, Andrei's case remains a test for the Romanian justice: will the system succeed in delivering answers and accountability, or will it confirm, once again, that time can become the most effective ally of the guilty?