2009 Singapore Romanian diplomat incident
Encyclopedia
The Singapore Romanian diplomat incident occurred on 15 December 2009, when three pedestrians were struck in a hit-and-run
in the Singapore suburb of Bukit Panjang
. The vehicle, a black Audi A6 bearing diplomatic license plates, was later identified as being driven by Dr Silviu Ionescu, at the time Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Romanian Embassy in Singapore
. At approximately 3 am, the vehicle ran two red lights and hit the pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing, injuring two and killing one. Approximately 40 minutes after the incident, Ionescu reported the vehicle as being stolen. The car was later found abandoned in Sungei Kadut
approximately 4 hours after the accident.
Singapore began an investigation into the incident. Romanian authorities also commenced an investigation into the incident on 6 January 2010, and formally indicted Ionescu on charges on 2 February. A Singapore coroner's inquiry held in early March 2010 determined the vehicle had not been stolen and was being driven by Ionescu at the time of the incident. Ionescu, who had left Singapore three days after the incident, declined to return to Singapore for the proceedings. Singapore authorities have used diplomatic law to interview Ionescu's driver, but Romania has declined several requests to extradite
Ionescu himself.
s in Bukit Panjang. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a black Audi A6 with diplomatic license plates run through two red traffic lights before striking the three men. Bong suffered severe head injuries, including post-traumatic amnesia
. Tong suffered the most severe of injuries. After three days in hospital, he slipped into a coma
and was pronounced brain dead
on 18 December 2009. He was taken off life support
on 25 December.
The abandoned Audi was later recovered by police in the Sungei Kadut
neighborhood. Ionescu had reported the vehicle as stolen approximately 40 minutes after the incident. According to his police statement, Ionescu drove the car to his diplomatic office shortly before 3 am. Shortly thereafter, he noticed the car was missing, at which time he reported it stolen. He then asked his driver, Marius Trusca, to drive him around in search of the car. After 20 minutes of searching, he took a taxi to his private residence. Police reports filed in a Singapore court differ from Ionescu's account. Police say Ionescu's driver was not working the night of the incident and was not called in to look for the vehicle until almost 9 am, rather than 3 am as reported by Ionescu.
Singapore completed a coroner's inquiry into the events on 11 March 2010. Based on the witnesses and evidence presented in the coroner's inquiry, one of whom claimed to have seen the driver's face, it was shown that Ionescu was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the incident. In response to the allegations, Ionescu said, "Honestly, I don't believe in the court of Singapore".
The Romanian government has taken action against Ionescu. He was recalled from his post in Singapore with effect from 5 January 2010 and the case had been referred to the Romanian Prosecutor's Office to conduct an investigation. The Romanian Foreign Ministry also suspended Ionescu from his duties after the Romanian Prosecutor's Office began a criminal investigation against him on charges of "manslaughter, unauthorised departure from a vehicle accident site, and misrepresentation".
Since the coroner's inquiry, a "joint technical committee" has been established between Singapore and Romania, who intends to pursue legal action against Ionescu. Pending such action, Singapore has filed 13 charges against Ionescu and as well as issued an arrest warrant
against him. At the same time, Interpol
issued a "Red Notice" for Ionescu for "crimes against life and health". The Romanian government seized a property in Bucharest belonging to Ionescu on 3 February 2010 with the aim of "satisfying the claims of the civil parties."
and the absence of extradition treaty
between Singapore and Romania has triggered much public outrage in Singapore.
There was also outcry in Malaysia as the deceased was a Malaysian who was working in Singapore. The family of the deceased sought help from the Malaysian government, but were turned down as it was considered an internal matter between Singapore and Romania.
Hit and run (vehicular)
Hit-and-run is the act of causing a traffic accident , and failing to stop and identify oneself afterwards...
in the Singapore suburb of Bukit Panjang
Bukit Panjang
Bukit Panjang is a suburban area situated in the Central North-Western part of Singapore. The Bukit Panjang Planning Area, located in the West Region, encompasses the Housing Development Board's housing estate of Bukit Panjang New Town and the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.-Etymology:Bukit in the...
. The vehicle, a black Audi A6 bearing diplomatic license plates, was later identified as being driven by Dr Silviu Ionescu, at the time Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Romanian Embassy in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. At approximately 3 am, the vehicle ran two red lights and hit the pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing, injuring two and killing one. Approximately 40 minutes after the incident, Ionescu reported the vehicle as being stolen. The car was later found abandoned in Sungei Kadut
Sungei Kadut
Sungei Kadut is an industrial estate located in the northwestern region of Singapore. It is bounded by Choa Chu Kang New Town, Mandai Estate and Kranji Reservoir. It is known for the extensive furniture making industries located in the area....
approximately 4 hours after the accident.
Singapore began an investigation into the incident. Romanian authorities also commenced an investigation into the incident on 6 January 2010, and formally indicted Ionescu on charges on 2 February. A Singapore coroner's inquiry held in early March 2010 determined the vehicle had not been stolen and was being driven by Ionescu at the time of the incident. Ionescu, who had left Singapore three days after the incident, declined to return to Singapore for the proceedings. Singapore authorities have used diplomatic law to interview Ionescu's driver, but Romania has declined several requests to extradite
Extradition
Extradition is the official process whereby one nation or state surrenders a suspected or convicted criminal to another nation or state. Between nation states, extradition is regulated by treaties...
Ionescu himself.
Incident
At approximately 3 am on 15 December 2009, Malaysians Tong Kok Wai, 30, his friend Bong Hwee How, 24, and Singaporean Muhd Haris Abu Talib, 18, were crossing at the pedestrian crossingPedestrian crossing
A pedestrian crossing or crosswalk is a designated point on a road at which some means are employed to assist pedestrians wishing to cross. They are designed to keep pedestrians together where they can be seen by motorists, and where they can cross most safely across the flow of vehicular traffic...
s in Bukit Panjang. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a black Audi A6 with diplomatic license plates run through two red traffic lights before striking the three men. Bong suffered severe head injuries, including post-traumatic amnesia
Post-traumatic amnesia
Post-traumatic amnesia is a state of confusion that occurs immediately following a traumatic brain injury in which the injured person is disoriented and unable to remember events that occur after the injury. The person may be unable to state his or her name, where he or she is, and what time it...
. Tong suffered the most severe of injuries. After three days in hospital, he slipped into a coma
Coma
In medicine, a coma is a state of unconsciousness, lasting more than 6 hours in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to painful stimuli, light or sound, lacks a normal sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate voluntary actions. A person in a state of coma is described as...
and was pronounced brain dead
Brain death
Brain death is the irreversible end of all brain activity due to total necrosis of the cerebral neurons following loss of brain oxygenation. It should not be confused with a persistent vegetative state...
on 18 December 2009. He was taken off life support
Life support
Life support, in medicine is a broad term that applies to any therapy used to sustain a patient's life while they are critically ill or injured. There are many therapies and techniques that may be used by clinicians to achieve the goal of sustaining life...
on 25 December.
The abandoned Audi was later recovered by police in the Sungei Kadut
Sungei Kadut
Sungei Kadut is an industrial estate located in the northwestern region of Singapore. It is bounded by Choa Chu Kang New Town, Mandai Estate and Kranji Reservoir. It is known for the extensive furniture making industries located in the area....
neighborhood. Ionescu had reported the vehicle as stolen approximately 40 minutes after the incident. According to his police statement, Ionescu drove the car to his diplomatic office shortly before 3 am. Shortly thereafter, he noticed the car was missing, at which time he reported it stolen. He then asked his driver, Marius Trusca, to drive him around in search of the car. After 20 minutes of searching, he took a taxi to his private residence. Police reports filed in a Singapore court differ from Ionescu's account. Police say Ionescu's driver was not working the night of the incident and was not called in to look for the vehicle until almost 9 am, rather than 3 am as reported by Ionescu.
Police investigation and Coroner's Inquest in Singapore
On 6 January 2010, the Romanian prosecutor's office opened a criminal investigation and officially requested information about the case from Singaporean authorities. On 28 January, Singapore police revealed they had evidence that Ionescu was the driver in the hit-and-run accident. His presence, as well as that of his Romanian driver, was requested for the coroner's inquest into Tong's death.Singapore completed a coroner's inquiry into the events on 11 March 2010. Based on the witnesses and evidence presented in the coroner's inquiry, one of whom claimed to have seen the driver's face, it was shown that Ionescu was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the incident. In response to the allegations, Ionescu said, "Honestly, I don't believe in the court of Singapore".
Actions by Romanian agencies
The Romanian Foreign Ministry has distanced itself from Ionescu since he was excused from his diplomatic position, saying his statements carry the weight of any common citizen.The Romanian government has taken action against Ionescu. He was recalled from his post in Singapore with effect from 5 January 2010 and the case had been referred to the Romanian Prosecutor's Office to conduct an investigation. The Romanian Foreign Ministry also suspended Ionescu from his duties after the Romanian Prosecutor's Office began a criminal investigation against him on charges of "manslaughter, unauthorised departure from a vehicle accident site, and misrepresentation".
Since the coroner's inquiry, a "joint technical committee" has been established between Singapore and Romania, who intends to pursue legal action against Ionescu. Pending such action, Singapore has filed 13 charges against Ionescu and as well as issued an arrest warrant
Arrest warrant
An arrest warrant is a warrant issued by and on behalf of the state, which authorizes the arrest and detention of an individual.-Canada:Arrest warrants are issued by a judge or justice of the peace under the Criminal Code of Canada....
against him. At the same time, Interpol
Interpol
Interpol, whose full name is the International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL, is an organization facilitating international police cooperation...
issued a "Red Notice" for Ionescu for "crimes against life and health". The Romanian government seized a property in Bucharest belonging to Ionescu on 3 February 2010 with the aim of "satisfying the claims of the civil parties."
Public response
The fact that Ionescu could not be brought back to Singapore for trial due to Diplomatic ImmunityDiplomatic immunity
Diplomatic immunity is a form of legal immunity and a policy held between governments that ensures that diplomats are given safe passage and are considered not susceptible to lawsuit or prosecution under the host country's laws...
and the absence of extradition treaty
Extradition
Extradition is the official process whereby one nation or state surrenders a suspected or convicted criminal to another nation or state. Between nation states, extradition is regulated by treaties...
between Singapore and Romania has triggered much public outrage in Singapore.
There was also outcry in Malaysia as the deceased was a Malaysian who was working in Singapore. The family of the deceased sought help from the Malaysian government, but were turned down as it was considered an internal matter between Singapore and Romania.