Romanian Prosecutors Detain Fmr Envoy To Singapore In Hit-And-Run Case

Prosecutors requested that Ionescu be put under preventive custody for 29 days. A Bucharest court is to rule on the arrest proposal.

The former envoy is investigated for manslaughter, fleeing the scene of the accident and false statements. Before his hearing, Ionescu told reporters he is confident he won't be arrested, as "Romania isn't Singapore" and he has strong evidence proving his innocence.

Early April, Singapore's Police sent Interpol Romania an international arrest warrant against Ionescu. The Romanian Justice Ministry told Interpol Romania that the former envoy to Singapore cannot be placed under provisional arrest to be extradited to Singapore, as Romania did not lift the former envoy's diplomatic immunity.

Ionescu filed suit to have the warrant cancelled but the court overruled his claim Thursday. The former envoy said he would appeal the ruling and address the European Court for Human Rights if the issue isn't solved in Romania.

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.

In February, 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.

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