Singapore Suspends Arrest Warrant For Fmr Romanian Envoy Blamed For Hit-And-Run

Yeo also told Singaporean lawmakers, who met Monday to discuss whether Singapore can take legal action against Ionescu for casting aspersions on the integrity of its judicial system, that other diplomats in Singapore have told the Government that Ionescu has disgraced the entire diplomatic corps.

„This is puzzling”, the paper quoted Yeo as saying, as „it seems to imply that Romania is now claiming that Ionescu was engaged in official duties at the time of the accident and we do not understand how this can possibly be the case”.

Ionescu said in a press release Sunday he filed at the Bucharest Court of Appeals a criminal suit against Singapore, calling for the annulment of the arrest warrant issued in his name over a hit-and-run accident that resulted in one fatality, arguing he has diplomatic immunity.

„The official response of the Romanian Justice Ministry to Singapore authorities was clear in that the arrest warrant cannot be applied because, under the Vienna Convention, I have diplomatic immunity and Romania and Singapore don’t have a an extradition treaty,” Ionescu said in the release, adding Singapore authorities are trying to pressure the Romanian justice system and himself.

Ionescu is wanted to stand trial in Singapore after a coroner’s inquiry showed he was driving an embassy car mid-December last year and hit three pedestrians, one of whom died. Ionescu initially reported the embassy car stolen and continues to deny any wrongdoing. He also fled to Romania days after the accident.

Ionescu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has dismissed the results of the Singaporean authorities as bogus. He also said recently the Singaporean Government „set him up” and he fears he might be assassinated if he returns to Singapore to stand trial.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore asked the Romanian Government to do what it can to persuade Ionescu to return to Singapore to stand trial or investigate and prosecute him under Romanian law.

On February 2, Ionescu was officially placed under criminal investigation by the Romanian General Prosecutors Office for manslaughter, fleeing the scene of an accident and false statements. Ionescu has also been suspended from his diplomatic duties.