The Romanian citizen on trial for drug trafficking in Malaysia – sentenced to death

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) informs that the appeal for the Romanian citizen sentenced to death in Malaysia for drug trafficking was judged and the Federal Court of Justice in this country confirmed the death penalty by a final decision, all appeals in court in this file being completed.

“MAE informs that, on January 26, 2016, the appeal of the Romanian citizen sentenced to death in Malaysia for drug trafficking was judged. The Federal Court of Justice of Malaysia, judging the appeal, has upheld the death penalty by a final sentence. The lawyers of the Romanian citizen will submit a request for pardon to the sultan of the Malaysian state where the deed took place,” a release from the ministry reads.

MAE further says that, according to Malaysian procedures, the request for pardon will be analyzed by a Pardoning Committee, summoned upon the sultan’s order. MAE further informs that the sentence cannot be carried out until the pardon request is not solved, a step that might take a long time.

Ionut Alexandru Gologan was sentenced to death by the first court on October 16, 2013. In February 2015 his appeal was turned down by the Appeal Court in Putrajaya.

Gologan, 23, was arrested for drug trafficking and sentenced to death. With the support of the Romanian Embassy, an appeal to the higher court was filed. The Federal Court’s sentence is the one mentioned above.

MAE mentions lots of steps were taken on diplomatic and consular channels in view of granting assistance, especially in finding the best defence ways in view of avoiding the death penalty.

Ionut Alexandru Gologan was born in Telega, Prahova County (north of Bucharest). The last time he visited his home was in the summer of 2012, one month before being arrested. According to the local mayor, Gologan then left for Germany, where it seems he was contacted by drug dealers. The mayor also said he had a broken home, being raised by his father and his grandmother after his mother had left Telega several years ago.

The young man worked as part-time driver. In his luggage, on June 26, 2012, at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, were found 1,494 grams of methamphetamine.