Romanian hit-and-run inquest March

[SwineHunter]

Romanian envoy summoned


Apr 27, 2010

Romanian envoy summoned

Romanian ambassador summoned to explain claim in diplomatic note

<!-- by line --> By Teh Joo Lin

Same old retarded pic snipped.

<!-- end by line --> Singapore has summoned Romanian ambassador Aurelian Neagu to a meeting here later this week to clarify comments by his government that former charge d'affaires Silviu Ionescu continues to enjoy diplomatic immunity. -- CHAN BEE LENG

SINGAPORE has summoned Romanian ambassador Aurelian Neagu to a meeting here later this week to clarify comments by his government that former charge d'affaires Silviu Ionescu continues to enjoy diplomatic immunity. The comments were made in a third party diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) last Friday.

Disclosing this in Parliament yesterday when updating Ms Irene Ng (Tampines GRC) on the latest developments, Foreign Minister George Yeo said: 'We are puzzled as it seems to imply that Romania is now claiming that Dr Ionescu was engaged in official duties at the time of the accident and we do not understand how this can possibly be the case.'

Romania cited Article 39(2) of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations to back its contention. But Mr Yeo pointed out that the Vienna Convention recognises the difference in the privileges and immunity that diplomats have during their posting to a country, and after they leave the country at the end of their posting. Article 39(2) says immunity usually ends after a diplomat leaves his posting, except for acts performed 'as a member of the mission'.

Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.
[email protected]

 

[M.Bison]

Apr 28, 2010
Romanian envoy to meet MFA

<!-- by line --> By Teh Joo Lin
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Singapore summoned Mr Neagu (above), who is based in Japan, earlier this week after it received a diplomatic note from the Romanian Foreign Ministry that the Dr Ionescu's diplomatic immunity 'continues to subsist'. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

<!-- story content : start --> ROMANIAN ambassador Aurelian Neagu is expected to turn up at the Foreign Affairs Ministry here on Thursday to clarify his government's comment that former charge d'affaires Silviu Ionescu continues to enjoy diplomatic immunity. The confirmation of the meeting came in a statement from the MFA on Wednesday. Singapore summoned Mr Neagu, who is based in Japan, earlier this week after it received a diplomatic note from the Romanian Foreign Ministry that the Dr Ionescu's diplomatic immunity 'continues to subsist'.

This differed from Singapore's interpretation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. In Parliament on Monday, Foreign Minister George Yeo said he was 'puzzled' as Romania's message implied that Dr Ionescu was on official duty at the time of the accident on Dec 15, when three pedestrians were hit by the Romanian embassy's Audi A6 car along Bukit Panjang Road. One of them died later from his injuries.

 

[Ginchiyo Tachibana]

Romanian envoy met MFA


Apr 29, 2010
Romanian envoy met MFA
By Teh Joo Lin
<!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --> <!-- story content : start --> ROMANIAN ambassador to Singapore Aurelian Neagu met the Foreign Affairs Ministry for about half-an-hour on Thursday morning. He had been summoned from Japan, where he is based, on Monday to clarify comments made by his government that former charge d'affaires Silviu Ionescu continues to enjoy diplomatic immunity.

But Singapore had said that based on the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Dr Ionescu does not enjoy immunity for his private acts, namely, the events of Dec 15. That day, the embassy's Audi A6 ploughed into three pedestrians along Bukit Panjang Road. One of them later died. Mr Neagu arrived at the MFA in a chauffeured BMW car at 10am, and emerged at about 10.30am. He did not stop to speak to the media. Details of the meeting are expected to be released later on Thursday.

 

[SwineHunter]

Bid to stop arrest fails


May 7, 2010
Bid to stop arrest fails

<!-- by line --> By Jessica Lim
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Mr Ionescu filed the lawsuit against Singapore on Wednesday, asking for a cancellation of the international arrest warrant issued for him over his involvement in the fatal accident. -- SHIN MIN PHOTO: CHAN BEE LENG

ROMANIAN courts have quashed former diplomat Silviu Ionescu's request to cancel an arrest warrant issued against him by the Singapore authorities. The Bucharest Court of Appeals on Thursday overruled his request, deeming it inadmissible but said he could still appeal to the High Court of Justice. The warrant of arrest was issued by Singapore on April 1, one day after a Coroner's Court held him responsible for two hit-and-run accidents on Dec 15, which left one man dead and two others injured. On April 2, Interpol, the international police organisation, put him on a Red Notice - which requires its 188 member countries to be on the watch for him with a view to his arrest and extradition.

Mr Ionescu filed the lawsuit against Singapore on Wednesday, asking for a cancellation of the international arrest warrant issued for him over his involvement in the fatal accident. Romanian media said the former charge d'affairs will be appealing the ruling. He also said that he has not seen the court's motivation to its ruling, adding that he learnt from the court's prosecuter that it did not have jurisdiction to cancel the arrest warrant. He said that he will go before the European Court for Human Rights to prove Romanian judges have jurisdiction in this case, if the issue is not solved in his own country.

 

[SwineHunter]

Romania detains Ionescu


May 8, 2010
Romania detains Ionescu

<!-- by line --> <!-- end by line -->
I know you won't mind not seeing his same retarded pic over and over again.

Ionescu was taking in for questioning for six hours on Friday by prosecutors who are seeking a 29-day detention warrant against him. -- PHOTO: SHIN MIN


<!-- story content : start --> BUCHAREST - THE Romanian diplomat involved in a fatal hit-and-run case in Singapore was detained for questioning on Friday, Romanian prosecutors said. Silviu Ionescu, who was Bucharest's charge d'affaires in Singapore at the time, is alleged to have hit three pedestrians in two incidents in December while driving a car belonging to the Romanian mission. One of the victims, a 30-year-old Malaysian national, suffered brain damage and died on Christmas Day, while the two others suffered injuries. The diplomat, who flew back to Romania days after the accident, 'has tried to influence witnesses' depositions and asked an employee to ... erase data in his computer,' prosecutors said.

Ionescu was taking in for questioning for six hours on Friday by prosecutors who are seeking a 29-day detention warrant against him. Judges have 24 hours to approve the diplomat's detention or release him. Ionescu has publicly denied he was the driver, claiming the car was stolen. In interviews to Romanian media, he alleged he was 'a victim of a conspiracy by Singapore authorities.' Last month, Singapore issued an arrest warrant after a coroner's court ruled that Ionescu was driving the car involved in the accident. Singapore's foreign ministry said the Romanian government had the moral obligation to persuade Ionescu to return to face the charges. There is no extradition treaty between Singapore and Romania. -- AFP

 

[Shin Orochi]

Interest over Ionescu's hit-and-run case picking up in Romania


Interest over Ionescu's hit-and-run case picking up in Romania
By Lynda Hong | Posted: 09 May 2010 2049 hrs
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SINGAPORE : Interest in Romania on the Dr Silviu Ionescu hit-and-run case in Singapore is picking up, after authorities there decided to detain him for 29 days for further investigations.

Fresh pictures have been appearing on Romanian TV of the former charge d'affaires to Singapore being led away for detention.

He was detained for investigations into the accidents in December last year which killed one person and injured two others.

The media in Romania has also been reporting how Singapore's media and online community are keenly following developments of the case.

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is hoping that the Romanian authorities will persuade Dr Ionescu to return to Singapore to face charges.

There is no extradition treaty between Singapore and Romania. - CNA /ls

 

[lauhumku]

Romanian judge deems Ionescu a risk to public order if he remains free


Romanian judge deems Ionescu a risk to public order if he remains free
By Saifulbahri Ismail | Posted: 11 May 2010 1807 hrs
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Artist's impression during hearing into hit-and-run case (MediaCorp NewsHub) </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td class="update"></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>
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SINGAPORE: A judge in a Romanian court holds the view that former charge d'affaires to Singapore, Silviu Ionescu, constitutes a risk to public order if he remains free.

Romanian media Nine O'clock reported on Tuesday that the court acknowledged the fact that Dr Ionescu had tried to influence the woman accompanying him before the accidents into changing her testimony.

Dr Ionescu had also asked his driver to modify the log of the embassy car. The judge presiding over the case said there were clues suggesting Dr Ionescu had committed the acts he's accused of.

The 50-year-old former diplomat is currently under investigation in Romania for manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident and making false statements.

Last month, a coroner's inquiry in Singapore indicated that Dr Ionescu was the driver of the car that hit three pedestrians in a fatal hit-and-run accident last December.

Dr Ionescu had filed an appeal against the 29 days preventive detention against him last Friday. A decision on the appeal will be made on Thursday. - CNA/vm

 

[SwineHunter]

Romanian High Court rejects Ionescu appeal


Romanian High Court rejects Ionescu appeal
By Mustafa Shafawi | Posted: 13 May 2010 1358 hrs

SINGAPORE: Former Romanian charge d' affaires to Singapore, Silviu Ionescu, has failed in his appeal to have his international arrest warrant annulled.

Romanian media, Nine O' Clock, said the appeal was rejected after the Romanian High Court "realised that it cannot rule on documents or requests issued by states with which Romania does not have judiciary collaboration agreements."

The ruling by the High Court of Cassation and Justice is final. This means the international arrest warrant issued by Singapore against Dr Ionescu remains valid.

His lawyer, Maria Vasi, told the court that she did not rule out that the accident was staged by the Singapore authorities so that they could subsequently force the Romanian diplomat to reveal intelligence.

Dr Ionescu was found by a Coroner's Inquiry in Singapore to be the driver behind the wheel of a Black Audi which was involved in two hit-and-run accidents in December last year.

One person subsequently died of his injuries.

- CNA/jy

 

[Sun Wukong]

Romania welcomes envoy


May 16, 2010
Romania welcomes envoy

<!-- by line --> By Kimberly Spykerman
<!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --> <!-- story content : start --> ROMANIA has welcomed a special envoy from Singapore, and said it would support him during his upcoming visit to Bucharest to help Romanian officials with their investigations into its former charge d'affaires to Singapore, Silviu Ionescu. A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Sunday said Minister George Yeo had written twice to his Romanian counterpart Teodor Baconschi to inform him of the appointment of Singapore's ambassador in Brussels as special envoy, and of the envoy's impending visit.

Mr Baconschi, in addition to welcoming Mr Anil Kumar Nayar, assured Singapore of Romania's strong commitment to due process in the case concerning Ionescu, and its determination to enforce the law to its utmost extent. The former diplomat was found by a coroner's court to have run over three pedestrians along Bukit Panjang Road after a night of drinking on Dec 15 last year. He later abandoned the embassy vehicle and reported it stolen. Singapore invited Romanian investigators to the republic to review the evidence against Ionescu over a month ago. It appointed Mr Nayar to go to Romania when the European country was unable to finalise dates for the visit.

Read the full report in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.

 

[SwineHunter]

'Justice will be served'


May 18, 2010

BT PANJANG HIT-AND-RUN SAGA
'Justice will be served'

<!-- by line --> By Teh Joo Lin

FOREIGN Minister George Yeo on Monday assured the House that Singapore and Romania are both taking steps to ensure that justice is served on suspended diplomat Silviu Ionescu. Romania's criminal proceedings against Ionescu entered a 'new phase' earlier this month, when the former charge d'affaires was put under arrest for a period of 29 days. 'We understand that this phase, known in Romanian law as 'criminal action', means that the Prosecutor has sufficient basis to link Dr Ionescu to the offences being investigated,' said Mr Yeo.

An extension can be sought by the Romanian prosecutors when the 29 days are up. Meanwhile, Singapore is sending a special envoy and officials from the Attorney-General's Chambers to Romania this week to understand the Romanian system better and render assistance to the Romanian government. Romania's investigations against Ionescu on charges of homicide by negligence, leaving the scene of an accident, and making false statements, began in February.

The Singapore courts have found Ionescu was behind the wheel when the Romanian embassy's Audi A6 hit three pedestrians along Bukit Panjang Road on Dec 15. One of them later died. Mr Yeo was responding to questions from MP Irene Ng (Tampines GRC) and MP Michael Palmer (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC). Mr Palmer had asked if the Foreign Affairs Ministry would consider severing diplomatic ties in Romania given a lack of progress in Ionescu's prosecution.

Ms Ng too, had asked if stern measures could be taken against Romania to register Singapore's strong protest over Romania's handling of the case. Assuring the House that the 'wheels of justice are grinding forward', Mr Yeo said: 'As I have said before, although we are all impatient to see justice done, now that the Romanian authorities have initiated criminal action against Ionescu, we must allow them reasonable time to go through their own legal processes.' He added that the Romanian government is aware that bilateral ties would be affected if justice is not done or seen to be done.

 

[Sun Wukong]

EU diplomats here want to see Silviu Ionescu case resolved and justice done
By S Ramesh | Posted: 18 May 2010 1625 hrs
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SINGAPORE: Foreign Minister George Yeo has assured that the "wheels of justice" are in motion in the case involving former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu. He was responding in Parliament on Tuesday to questions by MPs on the seeming lack of progress on the issue. In fact the European Union ambassadors here are also watching the case.

Silviu Ionescu is now in remand for 29 days in Bucharest. Mr Yeo told the house that Romania is investigating him for homicide and negligence, leaving the scene of an accident and making false statements. Mr Yeo added: "We understand that it is possible for the prosecution to seek an extension of the detention when the 29 days are up. The Romanian legal process has moved into a new phase.

“The Romanian government knows that the country's reputation is at stake and has acted properly. The Romanian foreign minister has personally assured me that they want to see justice served.” Minister Yeo added that from what's been posted on the Internet, many Romanian citizens also feel that Dr Ionescu has disgraced the country and are deeply ashamed of him and they want their own government to see that justice is served.

On Singapore's end, its special envoy and officials from the Attorney General's Chamber is in Bucharest this week to understand the country's system better. Mr Yeo continued: "Another reason why our special envoy and AGC officials are visiting Bucharest is to understand the Romanian system better. “I understand the frustrations of Singaporeans at the pace at which the wheels of law appear to be grinding.

But we must respect Romania's legal processes which are different from our legal processes and allow the law to take its course in Romania under their own system. But be assured that the wheels of justice are grinding forward." Mr Yeo added that Romania is a member of the European Union which places great value on the rule of law. He related a recent meeting with EU ambassadors who felt that it was not only Romania's credibility at stake.

He said: "The EU considers itself a union of values that among other things, places great store for the rule of law. The EU requires that all its member states subscribe to and uphold the high standards that the EU espouses when they join the EU. The EU ambassadors and European Commission officials we have all talked to understand that not only Romania's credibility is at stake. “At the cocktail, I could sense palpably, the embarrassment and awkwardness felt by the European Union diplomats.

“They have a rule that in all their foreign missions the national flag flies side by side with the EU flag. “So strictly speaking even though this is a bilateral matter, there is no doubt that EU diplomats and EU governments feel that they have an interest in seeing the case satisfactorily resolved and justice served." He added that the Romanian government is aware that if justice is not done, bilateral relations are likely to be affected. - CNA/vm

 

[lauhumku]

New phase in Ionescu case


May 19, 2010
New phase in Ionescu case

Romania is now taking 'criminal action' against suspended diplomat

<!-- by line --> By Teh Joo Lin
<!-- end by line -->
Note : Same old retarded pic snipped.
<!-- end left side bar --> <!-- story content : start -->
FOREIGN Minister George Yeo yesterday assured Singaporeans impatient to see Romania's former charge d'affaires brought to book that the wheels of justice were 'grinding forward'. He gave an account of the legal steps Romania has taken against Silviu Ionescu, who is denying his role in a hit-and-run case in Singapore which killed one person and injured two others. The Romanian legal process has entered a 'new phase', Mr Yeo said, as it is now taking 'criminal action' against the suspended diplomat. This indicates that its government has grounds to link Ionescu to the case.

'It would thus be wrong to conclude that there has been no progress in bringing Dr Ionescu to justice,' he told Parliament. Mr Michael Palmer (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) had earlier referred to the 'lack of progress' in the prosecution of Ionescu, and asked if the Government would consider severing diplomatic ties. Likewise, Ms Irene Ng (Tampines GRC) asked if bilateral ties could be reviewed to register Singapore's protest at Romania's handling of the case. She also suggested getting the European Union to lean on Romania, an EU member.

Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.
[email protected]

 

[chobolan]

Romania 'doing its part'


May 22, 2010
Romania 'doing its part'
S'pore envoy says Romania is working to bring about justice, but probe still ongoing

By Teh Joo Lin

Earlier this month, a Bucharest court ordered Ionescu held for 29 days, pending investigations. The detention can be extended until prosecutors are ready to go to court. -- PHOTO: WWW.ZIARE.COM

Mr Anil Kumar Nayar, Singapore's Ambassador to the European Union -- PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS

SINGAPORE'S special envoy to Romania has ended his visit to the country, and is convinced that its officials are doing their bit to ensure that suspended diplomat Silviu Ionescu is brought to book. Mr Anil Kumar Nayar, Singapore's Ambassador to the European Union, arrived in Romania with other officials from the Republic's Attorney-General's Chambers on Tuesday.

Over the past four days, the team met key people in Romania handling the case, including prosecutors and officials from the Foreign and Justice ministries. It also expressed Singapore's serious intent to see justice served in the case.

Mr Nayar was sent to the country to help speed up Romania's investigations into Ionescu, the country's former charge d'affaires in Singapore who was found by a court here to be responsible for a hit-and-run accident that killed one and injured two along Bukit Panjang Road on Dec 15.

Speaking by phone from Romania, he told The Straits Times yesterday: 'So far, our own sense is that the Romanian officials dealing with this case are indeed trying their best to move the case forward towards an outcome whereby justice is served. 'That was the overall sense that we got from our discussions here.'

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.

[email protected]

 

[Guile]

Special Envoy senses Romania's 'good effort'
by Satishkumar Cheney
11:01 AM May 22, 2010

From left: Singapore's Special Envoy to Romania Anil Kumar Nayar, justice officials Hay Hung Chun and Lionel Yee in Bucharest on Friday.

SINGAPORE - Singapore's Special Envoy to Romania said on Friday that he sensed a "good effort" by the Romanian authorities to move the hit-and-run case involving former diplomat Silviu Ionescu forward. Mr Anil Kumar Nayar, who was in the capital Bucharest this week, was also "cautiously optimistic" that Romanian officials "will do their best to make their visit soon" to look at the facts of the case.

The officials "need to sort out some administrative and logistic details" before they can come to Singapore, he added. Ionescu is wanted in Singapore in connection with a hit-and-run accident last December, which killed one pedestrian. He's now in the custody of the Romanian authorities. Mr Nayar and a delegation of legal experts went to Bucharest on Tuesday to assist the Romanian authorities in the case.

Their visit ended on Friday with the Special Envoy having met officials from the Romanian foreign and justice ministries as well as officials from the Prosecutor's Office. During a teleconference with Singapore reporters here, Mr Nayar said details cannot be given as investigations are still on. But the tone and direction appear positive.

"After talking to them, our sense is that in line with the commitment given by the Foreign Minister of Romania to Minister George Yeo, a good effort is indeed being taken so far to move this case forward in line with the shared objectives, I think, of the two countries to make sure that justice is served," Mr Nayar said.

The Special Envoy said that more work needs to be done to make sure the momentum is sustained, not just on the Ionescu case but in terms of bilateral relations as well. There will be some exchange of information between both countries in the coming days, he added.

As to Ionescu's whereabouts, Mr Nayar said they were told by the Romanian officials that the former diplomat is currently under detention for a 29-day period. "We were told by the Prosecutor's Office that he is under detention. We don't think he is under house arrest. That means he is detained somewhere," Mr Nayar said.

 

[M.Bison]

Romanian representatives on Ionescu case to visit Singapore this week


Romanian representatives on Ionescu case to visit Singapore this week
Posted: 25 May 2010 0008 hrs
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SINGAPORE: Romanian representatives of the Joint Technical Working Group on the case of former diplomat Silviu Ionescu have indicated that they would be visiting Singapore this week. A spokesman from Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Monday that the Romanian Embassy in Singapore has informed MFA and the Singapore Attorney-General's Chambers of the visit.

The spokesman said Singapore is ready to accommodate the visit despite the short notice given by the Romanian side. This message was relayed by Singapore's Special Envoy to Romania, Anil Kumar Nayar, when he spoke with the Romanian Foreign Ministry's Secretary of State Doru Costea on Monday.

The Romanian representatives plan to be in Singapore from Wednesday to Saturday. MFA said the representatives would like to interview a list of witnesses related to the case of Dr Ionescu. Singapore's Special Envoy also explained to Mr Costea that Friday is Vesak Day, a public holiday in Singapore.

"As such, the Romanian officials would have only one working day to carry out the requested hearing with the available witnesses," the MFA spokesman said. "Special Envoy Nayar stressed to Secretary of State Costea that the Romanian representatives were welcome to visit during the scheduled dates of 26-29 May 2010, but that they should be prepared to stay for a longer period of time."

MFA said Mr Costea indicated that he would follow up with the Romanian Prosecutor's Office. The ministry has also sent a Third Party Note to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, asking it to confirm the dates of the visit in order to facilitate the work of the Romanian officials in Singapore. MFA is still waiting for a response from the Romanian side. - CNA/de

 

[M.Bison]

Trip of Romania reps delayed


May 26, 2010
Trip of Romania reps delayed

<!-- by line --> By Teh Joo Lin
<!-- end by line -->
THE visit by Romanian representatives of a joint technical working group here to interview witnesses linked to the hit-and-run involving former diplomat Silviu Ionescu has been postponed by a few days. They were expected to have arrived on Wednesday, but they will be here from Sunday to next Wednesday instead. A Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday: 'The Romanians have informed us that the visit will now take place from 30 May to 2 June. We welcome the visit.' The visit will help the Romanian authorities in their case against Ionescu, who is being investigated on charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene and making false statements. A coroner's court here had found the 50-year-old former charge d'affaires in Singapore responsible for a hit-and-run accident that killed one and injured two along Bukit Panjang Road on Dec 15.

 

[SwineHunter]

Fact-finding duo go back to Romania on Tuesday


Fact-finding duo go back to Romania on Tuesday
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SINGAPORE: The two Romanian officials on a fact-finding visit in Singapore on the hit-and-run case involving former diplomat Silviu Ionescu will return to Romania on Tuesday.

Romania's Acting Charge d'affaires Mr Alexandru Coseru said this in response to queries from Channel NewsAsia. But he said he did not have details of the work of the officials.

He said the embassy was only facilitating Romania's investigations. Channel NewsAsia understands that the two representatives of the Joint Technical Working Group had interviewed witnesses in Singapore.

A court in Bucharest had ordered Dr Ionescu to be detained for a 29-day period, pending investigations. He is wanted in Singapore for a hit-and-run accident which killed a pedestrian in December last year.

- CNA/ir

 

[Cao Pi]

Ionescu trial in Romania


Jul 2, 2010
Ionescu trial in Romania

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The diplomat, who flew back to Romania days after the accident, 'did not stop to let pedestrians cross like they were allowed to do by a green light', prosecutors said. -- PHOTO: SHIN MIN

BUCHAREST - ROMANIAN diplomat Silviu Ionescu, will be tried in his native country over a hit-and-run crash in Singapore in December that killed a Malaysian national, prosecutors said on Thursday. A former charge d'affaires in Singapore, he has been indicted for homicide, causing physical injuries and false statements, a press release from the general prosecutor's office said. The date of his trial has not been set yet and he will remain in custody until then, the statement said.

He was arrested by Romanian authorities in May. Ionescu is alleged to have hit three pedestrians in two incidents in December while driving a car belonging to the Romanian mission. One of the victims, a 30-year-old Malaysian national, suffered brain damage and died on Christmas Day, while the two others, aged 24 and 18, suffered injuries. The diplomat, who flew back to Romania days after the accident, 'did not stop to let pedestrians cross like they were allowed to do by a green light', prosecutors said.

'He left the scene of the first crash and drove on to the following crossroad where he again did not stop by a pedestrian crossing and caused another accident', they added. Ionescu has publicly denied he was the driver, claiming the car was stolen. According to prosecutors, the claim 'does not conform to reality.' Singapore's foreign ministry has repeatedly called on the Romanian government to 'ensure that justice is served and seen to be served' in Ionescu's case. -- AFP

 

[Medusa]

Ionescu victim claims $600K compensation


Ionescu victim claims $600K compensation

Injured trainee croupier is now 'slow in performing mental calculations': Report

by Ong Dai Lin
05:55 AM Jul 03, 2010

<script type="text/javascript"> var fontIndex = 2; var fontSize = new Array('0.63em', '0.69em', '0.75em', '0.88em', '1em', '1.13em'); </script> Singapore - He resumed training as a croupier with Resorts World Sentosa in May, but his injuries from the hit-and-run accident involving former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu have become a big impediment.

And Mr Bong Hwee Haw, 24, has now filed a writ of summons for compensation, for which NTUC Income, as the insurer of the Romanian embassy car that Ionescu was driving, is liable.

Mr Bong is claiming $630,000 as well as another RM8,400 ($3,600) for medical and transport expenses and costs for a pair of spectacles, a watch and a handphone, for instance.

A significant sum from the $630,000 claim is for loss of future income, estimated at $540,000. The claim also includes compensation of $18,000 for loss of earnings and overtime as a croupier for six months.

Mr Bong is also claiming compensation for his pain and suffering from the accident, which happened in December last year.

His friend, Mr Tong Kok Wai, 30, was also knocked down by Ionescu and died on Christmas Day from his injuries. Ionescu sped away after hitting the pair and knocked down student Muhammad Haris Abu Talib in a second hit-and run accident.

Mr Bong's lawyer, Mr N Srinivasan, said in the writ of summons that the accident was caused by Ionescu's negligence.

A specialist medical report by a consultant neurosurgeon in Gleneagles Medical Centre said that Mr Bong had suicidal symptoms after the accident and went for counselling.

The report also added that Mr Bong is now forgetful; he misplaces items, for example.

He also has slow movements, is slow in performing mental calculations and his right knee hurts if he stands for more than 30 minutes or when he puts pressure on it.

Mr Bong will be re-assessed after his retraining to determine if he can work as a croupier, the report stated.

Lawyer Subhas Anandan, who is representing Mr Haris and Mdm Yenny Young, the widow of Mr Tong, said he is calculating and processing their claims against Ionescu.

Romanian prosecutors have said they will try Ionescu on charges of homicide, causing physical injuries and false statements.

Acting Charge d'Affaires of the Romanian Embassy here, Mr Alex Coseru, thinks it is unlikely that witnesses will be summoned to Romania.

"That was why the Romanian prosecutors came to Singapore in May. They have interviewed the witnesses," he told MediaCorp.

However, Mr Srinivasan thinks there may be a "high likelihood" that witnesses will be summoned.

"But whether all the witnesses need to go is another matter ... Romania has to bear the expenses incurred for the witnesses if they ask them to go to Romania," said the lawyer.

 

[chowka]

Ionescu's trial opens Tues


Jul 26, 2010
Ionescu's trial opens Tues

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Romanian authorities announced on July 1 that they would prosecute Ionescu (above) in his home country after receiving evidence from Singapore and performing their own investigations here. -- PHOTO: ST

<!-- story content : start --> SILVIU Ionescu, the former head of the Romanian embassy in Singapore, is expected to appear in a Romanian court on Tuesday to answer a homicide charge, among other accusations, linked to a double hit-and-run accident here.

The highly anticipated trial comes more than seven months after he allegedly hit three pedestrians across two junctions in Bukit Panjang on Dec 15, killing one of them. The 50-year-old, who has insisted on his innocence, left Singapore three days after the incident and refused to return to face charges.

Romanian authorities announced on July 1 that they would prosecute him in his home country after receiving evidence from Singapore and performing their own investigations here. Ionescu has already been remanded in a Romanian prison for more than two months leading up to the trial.

He is expected to fight the charges, which also include causing physical injuries, leaving the scene of an accident and making false statements. A statement from the Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday said the trial 'is an important step forward in ensuring that justice is served.'

Singapore's Special Envoy to Romania, Ambassador Anil Kumar Nayar will attend the start of the trial on Tuesday, said MFA. Earlier in Singapore, a coroner's inquiry into the death of Mr Tong Kok Wai, 30, found that Ionescu was behind the wheel when the embassy's Audi A6 ploughed into Mr Tong and two other pedestrians before speeding off.