Romanian court is forcing a man to remain dead even though he is alive and appeared in court personally

A 63-year-old man, Constantin Reliu, has been informed by a Romanian court, that he has been declared officially dead since 2003

The man’s wife reportedly obtained the death certificate after her husband refused to contact his family for years after traveling to Turkey

He was deported back to Romania this year, and immigration officials informed him of his death; however nothing can be done, as the court’s ruling is reportedly final Despite convincing evidence to the contrary, a Romanian court has ruled that a 63-year-old man, Constantin Reliu, is dead; in spite of the fact that Reliu himself appeared in court, alive and well, UK Guardian reports.

After spending more than a decade in Turkey, during which he was out of touch with his family, Reliu’s wife had obtained a death certificate for her husband. After returning, Reliu asked the court in the town of Barlad to overturn the certificate. However, the court told him that he would have to remain officially deceased, as it was too late. 

Reliu told local media: “I am officially dead, although I’m alive. I have no income and because I am listed dead, I can’t do anything." Reliu left Romania to seek employment elsewhere in 1992. After returning last in 1999, he reportedly cut off contact with his family. His wife obtained a death certificate for him after years of silence. Arguing her case in court, the wife stated that she assumed her husband had died in an earthquake in Turkey, and that was why she obtained the death certificate. She reportedly obtained the certificate in order to annul the marriage and remarry.

Reliu only found out about the development when his documents expired earlier this year and he was apprehended by Turkish authorities and deported back to Romania. On arrival, he was detained by immigration officers who informed him he had died in 2003. The man who says he wants to return back to Turkey as he has set up a business there, now faces an uphill legal battle to regain his identity and obtain a passport. He is now in limbo as the ruling cannot be appealed as it is apparently final.