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Romanian ex diplomat accused of hit-and-run killing in Singapore claims he was set up
By The Associated Press (CP) – 32 minutes ago
BUCHAREST, Romania — A former Romanian diplomat went on trial Tuesday in Bucharest for allegedly killing a man in a hit-and-run accident in Singapore, and testified that he had been set up by authorities in the Asian country.
Silviu Ionescu, a former embassy attache in Singapore, pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges including fleeing the scene of a crime.
He is accused of hitting two pedestrians with his car in the early hours of Dec. 15, and then hitting and injuring a third person while driving away. One of the first two injured died 10 days later.
Ionescu returned to Romania immediately after the accident, citing diplomatic immunity, and claimed he had not been driving the embassy vehicle because it had earlier been stolen.
As his trial opened in the Romanian capital on Tuesday, Ionescu claimed this was the second time Singapore's authorities had tried to connect him with a hit-and-run accident. Ionescu said the first case was dropped after witnesses confirmed he had been at a diplomatic reception at the time of the alleged incident.
Ionescu has been detained in Romania over the charges stemming from the December accident, and has requested bail.
Singapore's Ambassador to Brussels Anil Kumar Nayal was in court Tuesday, where a new hearing was set for Oct. 6.
Nayal has said Singapore's relations with Romania were threatened by the incident, which caused outrage in the tiny Asian country.
Romanian ex diplomat accused of hit-and-run killing in Singapore claims he was set up
By The Associated Press (CP) – 32 minutes ago
BUCHAREST, Romania — A former Romanian diplomat went on trial Tuesday in Bucharest for allegedly killing a man in a hit-and-run accident in Singapore, and testified that he had been set up by authorities in the Asian country.
Silviu Ionescu, a former embassy attache in Singapore, pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges including fleeing the scene of a crime.
He is accused of hitting two pedestrians with his car in the early hours of Dec. 15, and then hitting and injuring a third person while driving away. One of the first two injured died 10 days later.
Ionescu returned to Romania immediately after the accident, citing diplomatic immunity, and claimed he had not been driving the embassy vehicle because it had earlier been stolen.
As his trial opened in the Romanian capital on Tuesday, Ionescu claimed this was the second time Singapore's authorities had tried to connect him with a hit-and-run accident. Ionescu said the first case was dropped after witnesses confirmed he had been at a diplomatic reception at the time of the alleged incident.
Ionescu has been detained in Romania over the charges stemming from the December accident, and has requested bail.
Singapore's Ambassador to Brussels Anil Kumar Nayal was in court Tuesday, where a new hearing was set for Oct. 6.
Nayal has said Singapore's relations with Romania were threatened by the incident, which caused outrage in the tiny Asian country.