Ionescu trial further adjourned to Dec 3

SINGAPORE: The long—running trial of former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu has been further adjourned to December 3.

Ionescu is on trial for two hit—and—run accidents in Singapore in 2009 — which left one person dead and two others injured.

At Wednesday’s hearing in Romania, the court heard from defence witness Ovidiu Hada, the former mayor of Hunedoara, a town in Western Romania.

The judge handling the Ionescu trial intends to move the hearing into its final stage, before ruling a sentence.

Ionescu had planned to use Mr Hada’s evidence to prove he was under a constant state of pressure while in Singapore and that he wanted to leave as soon as possible.

But on the contrary, Mr Hada testified that Ionescu had never complained about his duties or any alleged hostile environment.

Mr Hada said he and Ionescu met in September 2009 while attending two meetings with representatives of the Singaporean Chamber of Commerce, organised by the Romanian Embassy.

"He never complained to me about his duties or about any alleged hostile environment. Our discussions only addressed issues related to my visit to Singapore, which was strictly for business," recalled Mr Hada in court.

The court was also scheduled to examine more evidence from Singapore, but the judge was told this was not yet available and no reason was given.

Singapore’s Special Envoy to Romania, Ong Eng Chuan, was present at Wednesday’s proceedings. He reiterated Singapore government’s expectations that justice shall be served.

— CNA/cc