Re: Release request denied (Ionescu)

My response to the following report:

Quote:

Originally Posted by BicCherry Judge rejects Ionescu request by Claudia Craiu in Romania news@mediacorp.com.sg 05:55 AM Jul 29, 2010... ... "His responsibility will have to be addressed through the Romanian legal process for justice to be served, and this is where the focus should be," the spokesman said. http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore...onescu-request

I think that the main reason why Ionescu cannot be released is because the Romanians are unable to keep him away from the press/ the press away from him/ he might be a flight risk, I dunno why this story is so convoluted, no thanks to both side's initial 'oneupmanship' stemming from unfamiliarity with the handling of such 'diplomatic' issues, the involvement of Interpol et al- i.e. the failure of abidance to the mutually pre-set terms of the VCDR [link]- on how such issues ought to be resolved 'diplomatically'.
That said, I do think its good from the [TDY 29July2010] statement "'His responsibility will have to be addressed through the Romanian legal process for justice to be served, and this is where the focus should be,' the spokesman said " that SG has tacitly at least admitted that Romania has the duty and honour of persecuting Ionescu with the assistance of the SG MFA- i.e. the involvement of Interpol et. al. was quite uncalled for.


Hiaz,
Moral of story, if U drink, dun drive, regardless of who U are.

Poor Ionescu' s (meaning the Ionescu family), the wife has gone berserk, or is she just faking it?

And look out before U cross the road, even if the 'green man' is showing, cos U never know which drunken diplomat is speeding down the same road, spent after a rancorous night of drunken livery at any one of SG's 2 spanking new integrated resorts/ casinos.

That said, for purely practical and cost control reasons, i hope that both the SPF and Singapore Coroner's Court have recorded adequate footage of the relevant trials/ witness testimonials/ investigations etc to be submitted to the Romanian prosecutors etc. This would be most facilitative and save much delay etc should the slippery Ionescu wish to dispute some of the witness statements in the courts there. Otherwise, SG would then have no choice but to spend $$$ transporting all relevant witness to Romania whilst safeguarding their safe return- should the Romanian prosecutors request witness presence in court. Better still, a cheaper alternative of course would be for both countries to set up a court teleconferencing service so that the physical presence of SG witnesses in Romania wouldn't be required and I'm sure that SG should be proud to show case her technological talents in this regard.

Hope all ends well and Ionescu can spend enough of his days in isolation, reminding himself of the evils of succumbing under the influence one drink too many and replaying in his now un-inebriated mind the sad events of that fateful mid December night- thanks to the hospitality of the Romanian Penitentiary system and the combined efforts of both governments.

N I hope our 2 govts continue to work well on this case tog.

References:
- Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR)
- [SGforums, 11 May2010]: 'The book of law should be read in spirit, from front to back and not vice versa' [link]
- [TDY 29July2010]: 'Judge rejects Ionescu request': "'His responsibility will have to be addressed through the Romanian legal process for justice to be served, and this is where the focus should be,' the spokesman (Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affais (MFA)) said." [link]

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This/ equivalent topic related message(s) has/ have been posted/ reflected at the following forums:
A1forum:
30July2010: Ionescu to be tried in Romania over hit-and-run

21May2010: Ex-envoy (Doctor of Dispicable Crimes) Ionescu not protected by immunity
08May2010: Romanian Embassy Diplomatic Car Hit & Run
08May2010: Nothing diplomatic about this immunity
HWZ:
29July2010: Romanian diplomat Ionescu was the driver in fatal hit-and-run; with discrete mention at:
07May2010: Possible consequences on Singapore-Romania relations: analysts
SG forums:
30July2010:Romanian diplomat's car in hit-and-run: cover up?
SBoy:
19May2010: ROMANIA Tells Singapore Garment To "** **** ********". And They Are Correct!
09May2010: Romania jailed Dracula Ionescu for 29 days! 3 Cheeers for Mr George Yeo & GMS
CNA:
19May2010: Interpol Red Notice of arrest against Silviu Ionescu suspen
T Review:
18May2010: Ionescu to appeal to Romanian High Court to cancel arrest warrant
Others:
SDP:
15May2010:A grave injustice
My Car forum:
21May2010: Silviu Ionescu continues to enjoy diplomatic immunity
Reach:
21May2010:Ionescu: The book of law should be read in spirit, from front to back and not vice versa.