Singapore’s Authorities Issue International Arrest Warrant Against Fmr Romanian Envoy

Prosecutor Marius Iacob, chief of General Prosecutors' Office criminal department, told MEDIAFAX Thursday that Interpol Romania received the international arrest warrant against Ionescu from the Singaporean police.

Romania's Foreign Affairs Ministry said both Romania and Singapore joined the Vienna Convention regarding diplomatic relations, therefore, investigations into Ionescu's case must be carried out by Romanian authorities.

According to the Vienna Convention regarding diplomatic relations, a diplomat enjoys immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the receiving state, which does not exempt the respective diplomat from the jurisdiction of the sending state.

The sources said Interpol Romania asked Romania's Justice Ministry to offer a standpoint on the matter.

Early February, Romanian criminal prosecutors opened criminal investigations regarding Ionescu, indicted for negligent homicide.

Ionescu was heard and took knowledge of the indictment. The Romanian diplomat was charged with killing a Singaporean citizen and hurting other two people in a car accident on December 15, 2009.

The Straits Times reported recently that the Singaporean Attorney-General's Chambers prepared a set of 13 charges against Ionescu.

Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a press release, charges include causing death by reckless driving, causing grievous hurt through a rash act, and failing to stop, help or lodge a police report after the accidents.

Lifting diplomatic immunity for Ionescu is unlikely, because Romania and Singapore don't have an extradition treaty, The Straits Times reported, citing Romania's Ambassador to Singapore Aurelian Neagu.

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