Romanian hit-and-run inquest March

[chowka]

Ex-Romanian diplomat Ionescu asks to be released on judicial supervision


Ex-Romanian diplomat Ionescu asks to be released on judicial supervision
By Anya Ardayeva | Posted: 27 July 2010 1734 hrs
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="260"> <tbody><tr> <td align="right" width="20"></td> <td align="right" width="240">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="60" valign="top"></td> <td class="update" height="80" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="138">Photos </td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="47">1 of 1</td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnPrev" value="<< Previous" onclick="Prev();" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_previous.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="19"><input id="bntPlay" value="Play - Stop" onclick="Play()" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_stop.gif" height="15" type="image" width="19"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnNext" value=" Next >> " onclick="Next();" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_next.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Silviu Ionescu (file picture) </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td class="update"></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
BUCHAREST, Romania : Former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu has asked to be released on judicial supervision on the first day of his manslaughter trial in Romania. Ionescu is wanted in Singapore for his involvement in two hit-and-run accidents along Bukit Panjang on December 15 last year in which one person was killed and two others injured.

Ionescu was indicted by Romania's General Prosecutor's Office for homicide. He is also accused of causing physical injuries and making false statements. Ionescu has been in custody in Romania since May. In court on Tuesday, the judge heard statements from the prosecutors, the defence and the defendant himself.

Ionescu was brought to the courtroom wearing handcuffs. He looked somewhat tired and grim, but he did wave to someone in the audience, quite possibly one of his two sons who was present at the hearing. The Romanian diplomat then asked to be released under judicial supervision, which in Romanian law means that the defendant is released but has to report to the police.

He is not allowed to leave the country, nor is he allowed to talk to the witnesses or the victims of the case as long as the trial is continuing. The judge is expected to make a decision within several days. During the hearing, Ionescu claimed the evidence against him was not only insufficient, but was also falsified.

He said that he did not write the very first report to the police, detailing exactly what happened in December last year. Although he admitted that he wrote the second report, he said it was rewritten by someone else and contained mistakes.

Ionescu's lawyer, Nelu Tasca, told Channel NewsAsia that his client maintains that he is innocent. He said he was not driving the Romanian mission's car that night, and that the existing evidence against him was not sufficient to keep the diplomat in custody. He said the allegation that Ionescu was behind the wheel that night were just a vague assumption. Nelu Tasca, one of Ionescu's lawyers, said: "We asked for very important pieces of evidence from the prosecutor, but our requests were denied without motivation by the prosecutor.

"His car was stolen and he wasn't driving. And the prosecutor's allegation that he was behind the wheel is just a vague assumption. From my point of view, many people could have had access to that car. "The driver had a set of keys and the inquest proved that there was a third set of keys, so theoretically speaking, anyone could have taken the car from outside the embassy and go to a petrol station, to buy cigarettes and so on."

Earlier, Ionescu claimed that the car was stolen and that claim, according to prosecutors, does not conform to reality. Neither of the victims of the accident nor their representatives was present at the hearing, but they are likely to be invited to the trial later on, in accordance with Romania's laws.

One person died and two were injured in two separate hit-and-run accidents in Singapore on December 15. One of the victims is claiming over $630,000 in compensation.

- CNA/al

 

[General Veers]

Ionescu drops lawyer suddenly


Ionescu drops lawyer suddenly
Lawyer says they couldn't agree on defence strategy ahead of trial today
By Amanda Yong
July 27, 2010

His criminal trial starts in a Romanian court today.

And Ms Maria Vasii was to have represented him as his lawyer to answer the homicide charge and other accusations he faces for a double hit-and-run accident in Singapore last year.

But Ms Vasii, 44, was dropped from the case yesterday in what was an eleventh-hour development.

She parted ways with Silviu Ionescu, 50, the former head of the Romanian embassy in Singapore, over disagreements in how the case should be handled.

"(It) was a personal and family decision (by) Mr Ionescu. (It) was a decision made (because) of different opinions regarding the strategy of defence," Ms Vasii e-mailed The New Paper last night.

Ionescu and his family "want a different point of view", she wrote, but did not elaborate.

The highly anticipated trial comes more than seven months after Ionescu allegedly hit three pedestrians across two junctions in Bukit Panjang on Dec 15 last year, killing one of them.

Ionescu, who has insisted he is innocent, left Singapore a few days after the incident and refused to return to face charges here.

 

[Cao Pi]

Wait-and-see for Ionescu in appeal for release under judicial supervision


Wait-and-see for Ionescu in appeal for release under judicial supervision
By Claudia Craiu, Milton Sau | Posted: 05 August 2010 2133 hrs
<table align="right" border="0" width="260" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td align="right" width="20">
</td> <td align="right" width="240">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" height="60">
</td> <td class="update" valign="top" height="80"> <table border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="138">Photos </td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="47">1 of 1</td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnPrev" value="<< Previous" onclick="Prev();" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_previous.gif" type="image" width="18" height="15"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="19"><input id="bntPlay" value="Play - Stop" onclick="Play()" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_stop.gif" type="image" width="19" height="15"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnNext" value=" Next >> " onclick="Next();" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_next.gif" type="image" width="18" height="15"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Silviu Ionescu</td> </tr> <tr> <td>
</td> <td class="update">
</td> </tr> <tr> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
SINGAPORE: It's wait-and-see for former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu, who's on trial for two hit-and run accidents in Singapore. He appeared for the second time in a Romanian court on Thursday seeking to be released while he's on trial.

He wants to be released under judicial supervision which means he can be freed from detention but has to report to the police. The decision from the Tribunal's judges is expected later on Thursday.

As of 6.30pm Romania time (Singapore time 11.30pm), there was still no word on the decision. Ionescu entered the courtroom, looking calm, holding a bottle of water and trying to find a familiar face in the room. This time, no member of his family was present.

For the 2.5 hours Ionescu waited his turn before the judge, he was seated in the defendant's box amid convicts and defendants on trial for crimes like rape, murder and theft. When he was finally heard, Ionescu repeated the same arguments but with some twists of words.

He said: "If I were to read the indictment against me, I would probably give myself not 7, but 25 years behind bars. I understand the Singaporeans' outrage. I would be just as outraged having heard of such a case having happened in my own country. But all this outrage and all these accusations rely on false witnesses, on false or circumstantial evidence".

This was the core of Ionescu's statement, whose defence now is focused on proving that the prosecutors are trying to force a confession out of him by keeping him under arrest. Under Romanian law, a case can rarely be won on circumstantial evidence alone and without a confession from the defendant.

Last Tuesday, Ionescu asked the lower court handling his case to release him under judicial supervision. His main argument was that, after three months behind bars, none of the accusation witnesses showed up to testify.

Ionescu's lawyer Nelu Tasca had argued that it was pointless for his client to wait in jail for some witnesses who will probably never show up. That request was rejected almost immediately.

Ionescu's arrest warrant is up for re-examination again on August 17, in case this second attempt for release fails and would be his other available chance of freedom. - CNA/vm

 

[wahlaneh]

Re: Wait-and-see for Ionescu in appeal for release under judicial supervision

wahlaneh...
why still must wait n see what?
either bring him back here to pak-ting-tiao n hanged or that bugger gone scotfree liao lor.

 

[Cao Pi]

Ionescu fails again in appeal to be released from detention


Ionescu fails again in appeal to be released from detention
By Claudia Craiu/Lynda Hong | Posted: 06 August 2010 2136 hrs
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="260"> <tbody><tr> <td align="right" width="20"></td> <td align="right" width="240">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="60" valign="top"></td> <td class="update" height="80" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="138">Photos </td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="47">1 of 1</td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnPrev" value="<< Previous" onclick="Prev();" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_previous.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="19"><input id="bntPlay" value="Play - Stop" onclick="Play()" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_stop.gif" height="15" type="image" width="19"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnNext" value=" Next >> " onclick="Next();" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_next.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Silviu Ionescu (file picture) </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td class="update"></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
SINGAPORE: Former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu has failed again in his appeal to be released from detention while he's on trial for two hit-and-run accidents in Singapore.

The panel of three women judges from the Bucharest Tribunal that heard on Thursday Ionescu's plea for release under judicial supervision decided to keep him behind bars and to reject his bid for freedom.

The court has yet to announce its motivation behind the ruling that was announced earlier on Friday in a public court session, where neither Ionescu, nor his lawyer were present.

On the other hand, Ionescu still has another chance at freedom on August 17, when he is expected to appear before the judge, who will review his arrest warrant.

His attorney said that he will appeal to an even higher court, the Bucharest Appeal Court, but only if on August 17, the judge decides to extend his warrant.

The next important date on the trial's schedule is October 6.

That is when his actual trial continues, on four counts of manslaughter, causing injury, fleeing the scene of an accident and false statement.

For these, under Romanian law, he faces a term of maximum seven years in prison. -CNA/vm

 

[Shin Orochi]

China Press reported that a pedestrian who was allegedly knocked down by a former Roma_nian diplomat to Singapore has won the civil suit.

The Singapore court, in default judgement, ruled that diplomat Dr Silviu lonescu has to pay Bong Hwee Haw for damages and the amount would be decided later.

Bong had earlier sought more than S$639,000 (RM1.5mil) in damages.

Ionescu was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident last December in Singapore that killed Malaysian Tong Kok Wai, 30, and injured Bong, 24, and another pedestrian.

The diplomat is currently being detained in Romania.

 

[Red 2]

Victim to testify


Oct 6, 2010

IONESCU TRIAL IN ROMANIA
Victim to testify

By Teh Joo Lin

Romanian embassy official Dr Silviu Ionescu is believed to be able to further assist with a tragic hit-and-run accident that occured in Singapore. -- PHOTO: SHINMIN

ONE of the victims in the hit-and-run accident involving former Romanian charge d'affaires Silviu Ionescu, 50, has flown to Romania to testify against the ex-diplomat. Mr Bong Hwee Haw, 24, is understood to have left on Monday night with his mother for the trial, which starts today in Bucharest. Contacted before he left, he declined to comment on his role in the trial, but sounded coherent and energetic over the phone. When he gave evidence at a coroner's inquiry in Singapore in March, he had shuffled unsteadily to the stand, looked lost and struggled to answer questions.

He had sustained head injuries so severe in the accident on Dec 15 last year that a doctor who testified in court said half of the patients who sustain such wounds die. Mr Bong told The Straits Times on Monday: 'I'm still undergoing physiotherapy and feel better now. But I still feel pain in my bones when the weather is cold. I'm confident of starting my croupier job, but we'll see. It's hard to say.' At the inquiry, he had initially said he remembered nothing of the accident that took the life of his close friend, Mr Tong Kok Wai, 30.

 

[Darth Vader]

Ionescu's trial starts


Oct 6, 2010
Ionescu's trial starts

BUCHAREST - THE trial of a Romanian diplomat charged with manslaughter following a hit-and-run car crash in Singapore last year opened in Bucharest on Wednesday. Silviu Ionescu, a former charge d'affaires in Singapore, denies the charge and has been in detention since May, pending his trial. The diplomat is alleged to have hit three pedestrians in December while driving a car belonging to the Romanian mission.

One of them, a 30-year-old Malaysian national, suffered brain damage and died on Christmas Day. One of the victim's friends, Bonghwee Haw, a Malaysian who was also severely injured in the crash, was in court and is due to testify later Wednesday. 'He came here today to make sure that justice is delivered,' his lawyer, Namasivayan Sririvasan, told AFP. Ionescu has been charged with manslaughter, causing physical injuries and making false statements, the general prosecutor's office said.

He has denied he was the driver and says the car was stolen. But prosecutors said his story 'does not conform to reality.' The former diplomat claimed the accusations were an attempt by Singapore authorities to 'disparage' him, following his public remarks 'criticising some of their decisions.' Singapore's foreign ministry has repeatedly called on the Romanian government to 'ensure that justice is served' in Ionescu's case. -- AFP

 

[Red 2]

Ionescu maintains innocence


Oct 7, 2010
Ionescu maintains innocence

His lawyers object over translation for witness, but are overruled

By Mihai Ursu, For The Straits Times

Ionescu has denied he was the driver and says the car was stolen. -- PHOTO: AFP

BUCHAREST - THE trial of former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu, who is accused of being involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident in Singapore last year, began yesterday with lawyers arguing over translations for a key witness. Mr Bong Hwee Haw, 24, one of the three men knocked down, had turned up to seek justice for his friend Tong Kok Wai, 30, who died after an Audi A6 ploughed into them on Dec 15.

His lawyer had to translate his words from Mandarin to English, after which court interpreters translated them into Romanian. Ionescu's defence objected, noting that translators and lawyers were usually independent, but the court allowed Mr Bong's attorney N. Srinivasan to continue.

The defence also argued that Mr Srinivasan was not recognised as a lawyer under Romanian law, but the judge also allowed him to continue. The former charge d'affaires has repeatedly denied being behind the wheel and insisted that the Romanian Embassy's car was stolen.

 

[Gracia]

Ionescu's request granted


Nov 5, 2010

Ionescu's request granted

By Mihai Ursu, For The Straits Times

If prosecutors do not appeal, Ionescu would be released by Saturday for the duration of the trial. -- PHOTO: AFP

BUCHAREST - A ROMANIAN court has granted former diplomat Silviu Ionescu's request to be released from detention. Ionescu, who is accused of being involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident in Singapore last year, has been in jail for about six months. He had repeatedly requested to be released from detention, but the court turned down his requests.

Yesterday, however, Ionescu's lawyer Nelu Tasca confirmed that Ionescu's request for release was accepted, which means he would be released from detention within 24 hours unless prosecutors filed an appeal. If prosecutors do not appeal, Ionescu would be released by Saturday for the duration of the trial, said the lawyer.

The 50-year-old former charge d'affaires is accused of hitting three pedestrians in a hit-and-run accident in Bukit Panjang on Dec 15 last year. One of them, assistant manager Tong Kok Wai, 30, a Malaysian, died. Ionescu's lawyer had previously argued that the prosecution did not have any evidence to pinpoint his whereabouts at the scene of the accident, so his client should be released and tried as a free man. The former diplomat had also said he was his family's sole breadwinner.

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

 

[Sun Ce]

Prosecutors appeal against release


Nov 6, 2010

Prosecutors appeal against release

MFA expressed regret on the Romanian court's decision to release former diplomat Silviu Ionescu (centre) from judicial supervision. -- PHOTO: AFP

BUCHAREST - FORMER Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu, whose request to be freed from detention was granted on Thursday, will remain incarcerated as prosecutors have appealed against his release. The appeal will be examined by the Bucharest Tribunal on Monday or Tuesday, The Straits Times understands, though a court date has yet to be set.

Ionescu's attorney, Mr Nelu Tasca, said the court has to decide on the appeal within 48 hours, during which the former diplomat will remain in jail, where he has been for about six months. If the three judges from the tribunal rule in favour of Ionescu, the decision will be final, which means that Ionescu will be freed for the duration of the trial.

The 50-year-old, who is accused of being involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident in Singapore last year, had repeatedly requested to be released, but the court had, until Thursday, turned down his requests. A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said Singapore respected the decision of the Romanian court to grant his request to be released under judicial supervision.

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

 

[Luke Skywalker]

Former diplomat Silviu Ionescu remains behind bars


Former diplomat Silviu Ionescu remains behind bars
By Claudia Craiu | Posted: 05 November 2010 2248 hrs
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="260"> <tbody><tr> <td align="right" width="240">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="update" height="80" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="138">Photos </td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="47">1 of 1</td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnPrev" value="<< Previous" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_previous.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="19"><input id="bntPlay" value="Play - Stop" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_stop.gif" height="15" type="image" width="19"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnNext" value=" Next >> " src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_next.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Silviu Ionescu (file picture) </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
ROMANIA: Romanian prosecutors have successfully appealed against the judge's decision to release Silviu Ionescu from detention under judicial supervision.

However, Ionescu still has a chance.

Ionescu's appeal to be released from detention under judicial supervision, according to his lawyer, Nelu Tasca, will be heard on Monday or Tuesday.

If the judge from the Tribunal decides in favour of Ionescu, the decision will be irrevocable and final.

Silviu Ionescu has been in prison since May.

That was his fourth attempt to be released. He said his wife is in bad health.

Ionescu is on trial for two hit-and-run accidents in Singapore in December last year which claimed the life of a pedestrian.

Ionescu has denied responsibility.

-CNA/ac

 

[Huang Zhong]

Former diplomat Silviu Ionescu to remain in prison


Former diplomat Silviu Ionescu to remain in prison
By Claudia Craiu | Posted: 09 November 2010 2303 hrs
<table align="right" width="260" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td align="right" width="20"></td> <td align="right" width="240">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" height="60"></td> <td class="update" valign="top" height="80"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td width="138" bgcolor="#f6f6f6">Photos </td> <td width="47" bgcolor="#f6f6f6">1 of 1</td> <td width="18" bgcolor="#f6f6f6"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnPrev" value="<< Previous" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_previous.gif" type="image" width="18" height="15"></td> <td width="19" bgcolor="#f6f6f6"><input id="bntPlay" value="Play - Stop" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_stop.gif" type="image" width="19" height="15"></td> <td width="18" bgcolor="#f6f6f6"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnNext" value=" Next >> " src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_next.gif" type="image" width="18" height="15"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Silviu Ionescu (file picture) </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td class="update"></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
BUCHAREST: Former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu will remain in prison in Bucharest.

His appeal for release from detention under judicial supervision was denied by Romania's courts on Tuesday.

Romanian prosecutors successfully argued for the judge not to grant the appeal, and extended the ex-diplomat's detention warrant.

50-year old Ionescu is accused of hitting three pedestrians in a hit-and-run accident in Bukit Panjang in Singapore on December 15 last year.

One of the pedestrians died.

Ionescu will be in court again on November 17.

-CNA/ac

 

[General Veers]

Ionescu hearing in Bucharest postponed to January 12


Ionescu hearing in Bucharest postponed to January 12
By Claudia Craiu | Posted: 17 November 2010 2154 hrs
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="260"> <tbody><tr> <td align="right" width="20"></td> <td align="right" width="240">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="60" valign="top"></td> <td class="update" height="80" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="138">Photos </td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="47">1 of 1</td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnPrev" value="<< Previous" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_previous.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="19"><input id="bntPlay" value="Play - Stop" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_stop.gif" height="15" type="image" width="19"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnNext" value=" Next >> " src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_next.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Silviu Ionescu (file picture) </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td class="update"></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
BUCHAREST, Romania : Former Romanian Charge d'Affaires to Singapore Silviu Ionescu's hearing in Romania - for the hit-and-run incident in Singapore which killed one pedestrian - has been postponed to January 12 next year.

At Wednesday's hearing in Bucharest, the Singapore lawyer representing NTUC Income Insurance requested for the postponement.

However, Desmond Tan from Lee and Lee Advocates told the court he will need to consult a Romanian lawyer and inform if he will be in court on that date in January.

Mr Tan asked for the postponement because under Romanian law, he is not allowed to represent a company in Court.

As such, he was not admitted as a lawyer with full rights. So, he needs a Romanian lawyer.

Meanwhile, Ionescu's lawyers are also trying to get the judge to release him on judicial supervision until the next court date.

Singapore's Deputy Chief of Mission, Desmond Koh, who was also in Court, said the Foreign Affairs Ministry is closely following the Ionescu trial.

He said he appreciates the effort and work of the the Court and other institutions involved.

- CNA/ms/ac

 

[chobolan]

Former Romanian diplomat Ionescu released from detention in Bucharest


Former Romanian diplomat Ionescu released from detention in Bucharest
By Claudia Craiu | Posted: 26 November 2010 0747 hrs
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="260"> <tbody><tr> <td align="right" width="20"></td> <td align="right" width="240">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="60" valign="top"></td> <td class="update" height="80" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="138">Photos </td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="47">1 of 1</td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnPrev" value="<< Previous" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_previous.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="19"><input id="bntPlay" value="Play - Stop" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_stop.gif" height="15" type="image" width="19"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnNext" value=" Next >> " src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_next.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Silviu Ionescu (file picture) </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td class="update"></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
BUCHAREST: Former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu was released from detention late Thursday night (around 10pm Romanian time, 4am Singapore time).

He had been held in preventive custody at Rahova prison in Bucharest for seven months. His trial began on July 23.

But now Ionescu has been placed under judicial supervision, which means that he cannot leave the country and must show up for his Court dates. His next appearance in Court will be on January 12 next year.

Ionescu is facing charges of homicide, causing physical injuries and making false statements, arising from two hit-and-run accidents in Singapore last December.

The decision on Thursday to release him came after his defence counsel had appealed to a higher tribunal in Bucharest.

The lawyers had previously applied to a Romanian court, which decided against his request when the trial was adjourned on November 17.

But after many attempts to get their client out of prison, they have now finally succeeded.

Ionescu cut a relieved figure on Thursday night when he spoke to reporters outside the prison gates, moments after his release.

He said he would continue to prepare his defence because he considered himself innocent.

He was also glad the decision to release him came when it did. He said it was his wife's 50th birthday on Thursday.

And after a brief moment with his lawyers, friends and son Bogdan, the former diplomat headed home.

- CNA/de/fa

 

[Toshiie Maeda]

Ionescu's trial restarts in Bucharest
Posted: 12 January 2011 1910 hrs
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="260"> <tbody><tr> <td align="right" width="20"></td> <td align="right" width="240">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="60" valign="top"></td> <td class="update" height="80" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="138">Photos </td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="47">1 of 1</td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnPrev" value="<< Previous" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_previous.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="19"><input id="bntPlay" value="Play - Stop" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_stop.gif" height="15" type="image" width="19"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnNext" value=" Next >> " src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_next.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Silviu Ionescu (L) and his lawyer at the tribunal in Bucharest. </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td class="update"></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
BUCHAREST - The trial of a Romanian diplomat charged with manslaughter after a hit-and-run car accident in Singapore restarted Wednesday in Bucharest, with Singapore calling for justice to be done.

"The Singapore government is still watching what is happening very closely", Anil Kumar Nayar, a Singapore envoy attending the trial, told AFP.

"The most important thing for us is that we want to make sure that justice is done and we have a commitment from the Romanian government as well that they too would like to see that justice is done."

The trial of Silviu Ionescu, a former charge d'affaires in Singapore, restarted on Wednesday at 0930 GMT in front of a Bucharest tribunal.

Ionescu is charged with manslaughter, causing physical injuries and making false statements after a deadly car accident in December 2009 in Singapore.

The diplomat is alleged to have hit three pedestrians while driving a car belonging to the Romanian mission.

One of them, a 30-year-old Malaysian national, suffered brain damage and died on Christmas Day. Ionescu is also alleged to have fled the scene.

Ionescu pleaded not guilty at a previous hearing. He has always denied he was the driver and says the car was stolen.

"I repeat again that I consider myself not guilty", Ionescu told the court on Wednesday.

He then started to recount his own version of the events on the night of the accident.

Ionescu insisted that he did not drink any alcohol that night, neither at a reception at the embassy of Kazakhstan, neither at a birthday party he had been attending afterwards.

The former diplomat, who is now working as a consultant, also justified flying back to Romania just days after the accident.

"My departure from Singapore had been planned two months before" for medical reasons and approved by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign affairs, he said.

The hearing of Ionescu's testimony is expected to continue for the whole day.

After being held for seven months in preventive custody, Ionescu was released from detention in November pending his full trial after pleading not guilty to an initial hearing.

The court imposed him travel restriction and he cannot leave Bucharest.

- AFP/ir

 

[hillary888]

Given time this Romanian is able to plan his lies and cover his actions. If in the end, he is trial not guilty in human court. May he get judgment through God.

You have not lied to men but to God.

 

[Sun Quan]

Ionescu pleads with judge to allow him to travel outside Bucharest
By Claudia Craiu | Posted: 26 January 2011 2136 hrs
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="260"> <tbody><tr> <td align="right" width="20"></td> <td align="right" width="240">

</td> </tr> <tr> <td height="60" valign="top"></td> <td class="update" height="80" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="138">Photos </td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="47">1 of 1</td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnPrev" value="<< Previous" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_previous.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="19"><input id="bntPlay" value="Play - Stop" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_stop.gif" height="15" type="image" width="19"></td> <td bgcolor="#f6f6f6" width="18"><input disabled="disabled" id="btnNext" value=" Next >> " src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/butt_next.gif" height="15" type="image" width="18"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Silviu Ionescu, former Romanian diplomat to Singapore on trial for hit-and-run </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td class="update"></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
SINGAPORE : Former diplomat Silviu Ionescu pleaded with the judge in court on Wednesday to allow him to travel outside Bucharest, the Romanian capital.

This is one of the few travel restrictions still being enforced against Ionescu.

He argued in court that he works as a consultant and needs to travel across Romania to fulfil his duties.

He said: "If I am to be convicted and made to pay damage, where would I get the money from if I can't work?"

The ex-diplomat was released from prison in November 2010 under judicial supervision and the terms of his release were that he does not leave Bucharest or Romania.

He added: "I have no intention to attempt to go abroad. There is an international arrest warrant issued against me and I would be put behind bars the minute I leave Romania."

The court will announce a decision on this matter on Thursday.

Ionescu's next court date is on March 9 when more evidence is to be given.

Until then, the judges still have to decide on how to hear the Singaporean witnesses.

One option is to invite them to Romania and the other is to interview them via video conference.

There are about 20 witnesses to testify in the Ionescu case and so far none has been heard, seven months into the trial.

- CNA /ls

 

[cass888]

I guess our MFA and MHA could not do much in this instance due to his diplomat status but i thought it could be better handled if MFA had acted fast with the Romanian govt and not allowing him to leave the country within such a short time.

...

He should act like a man and admit his mistake although the law cannot touch him but he should make up for it to the victims. It is the least any humane human being would do

What can MFA do? They can't stop him from leaving the country. In fact, the way it turned out is better for Singapore because that guy lied. He could very well have said "Yes, I did it, diplomatic immunity!" and continued LIVING and DRIVING in Singapore (very common occurrence in New York, though for some reason not Washington DC). Singapore would have had the unenviable task of expelling him.

 

[Musashi Miyamoto]

Jan 28, 2011

MFA on Romanian court, Ionescu allowed to travel

By Lai Han-Wei

Silviu Ionescu will be allowed to travel out of the Romanian capital of Bucharest, after a Romanian court granted his appeal. -- PHOTO: AFP

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) will respect a Romanian court's decision to allow Silviu Ionescu to travel out of the Romanian capital, Bucharest, after the former diplomat appealed, a spokesman said on Friday.

'We are obliged to respect the decision of the Court,' the spokesman said.

'We understand that the Court had imposed a number of supplementary obligations and that the Prosecution Office has a right of appeal against the court's decision. We await the decision of the Prosecution Office.'

Ionescu had told the court that he needed to travel as he was now a business consultant, and that he needed money as he was the sole breadwinner in his family.

Ionescu, on trial for two Dec 2009 hit-and-run incidents in Singapore, faces charges of homicide, causing physical injuries and making false statements.