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Tuesday 16 March 2010
Romanian probe ‘must be thorough’
Law Minister K. Shanmugam said yesterday he expects Romania to ‘seriously consider’ the evidence from a recently concluded coroner’s inquiry into a fatal road accident that allegedly involved former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu.
Singapore is ready to work with the authorities there, says minister
By Amresh Gunasingham 15 March 2010
Law Minister K. Shanmugam said yesterday he expects Romania to ‘seriously consider’ the evidence from a recently concluded coroner’s inquiry into a fatal road accident that allegedly involved former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu.
He said the ‘gravity’ of the Dec 15 hit-and-run case last year warranted a thorough investigation on the Romanian government’s part.
The coroner’s court heard last week that Malaysian Tong Kok Wai died from severe head injuries after he was involved in the accident.
‘The evidence laid out in the coroner’s inquiry is there for all to see,’ Mr. Shanmugam, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs, told reporters yesterday at a grassroots event in Sembawang.
‘We expect that it is taken seriously and have asked the Romanian authorities to take the appropriate steps.’
Last Tuesday, the Romanian government, through its embassy’s acting charge d’affaires here, Mr. Alexandru Coseru, made a formal request for access to court documents relating to the six- day inquiry, which concluded last Wednesday.
The evidence would help its criminal investigations into Dr Ionescu.
Police evidence, which emerged during the trial, had placed Dr Ionescu as the driver of the car which hit Mr. Tong.
Yesterday, Mr. Shanmugam said Singapore was ready to work with the Romanian authorities in their investigations.
‘When the request (for access to the documents) came, it had to be vetted by the AGC. We have now received the AGC’s advice and will be responding to say we will be giving our fullest cooperation.’ AGC stands for Attorney-General’s Chambers.
Findings of the coroner’s inquiry will be released by the end of the month.
More than 50 witnesses, including Korean soprano Jeong Ae Ree, the last person seen with Dr Ionescu that night, and the embassy driver, gave evidence at the inquiry, which was also attended by a representative from the Romanian embassy.
They had shed light on the Dec 15 accident, when assistant manager Mr. Tong, 30, and a friend were knocked down by a black Audi A6, while using a pedestrian crossing along Bukit Panjang Road.
Another person was also hit but Mr. Tong was the only fatality.
The car, which bore a consular number plate belonging to the Romanian embassy, was later found abandoned in Sungei Kadut Avenue, off Woodlands Road.
Dr Ionescu, 49, did not attend the hearing. He is in Romania, where he had returned shortly after the accident, for medical treatment, he claimed.
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Romanian probe ‘must be thorough’
Singapore is ready to work with the authorities there, says minister
By Amresh Gunasingham
15 March 2010
Law Minister K. Shanmugam said yesterday he expects Romania to ‘seriously consider’ the evidence from a recently concluded coroner’s inquiry into a fatal road accident that allegedly involved former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu.
He said the ‘gravity’ of the Dec 15 hit-and-run case last year warranted a thorough investigation on the Romanian government’s part.
The coroner’s court heard last week that Malaysian Tong Kok Wai died from severe head injuries after he was involved in the accident.
‘The evidence laid out in the coroner’s inquiry is there for all to see,’ Mr. Shanmugam, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs, told reporters yesterday at a grassroots event in Sembawang.
‘We expect that it is taken seriously and have asked the Romanian authorities to take the appropriate steps.’
Last Tuesday, the Romanian government, through its embassy’s acting charge d’affaires here, Mr. Alexandru Coseru, made a formal request for access to court documents relating to the six- day inquiry, which concluded last Wednesday.
The evidence would help its criminal investigations into Dr Ionescu.
Police evidence, which emerged during the trial, had placed Dr Ionescu as the driver of the car which hit Mr. Tong.
Yesterday, Mr. Shanmugam said Singapore was ready to work with the Romanian authorities in their investigations.
‘When the request (for access to the documents) came, it had to be vetted by the AGC. We have now received the AGC’s advice and will be responding to say we will be giving our fullest cooperation.’ AGC stands for Attorney-General’s Chambers.
Findings of the coroner’s inquiry will be released by the end of the month.
More than 50 witnesses, including Korean soprano Jeong Ae Ree, the last person seen with Dr Ionescu that night, and the embassy driver, gave evidence at the inquiry, which was also attended by a representative from the Romanian embassy.
They had shed light on the Dec 15 accident, when assistant manager Mr. Tong, 30, and a friend were knocked down by a black Audi A6, while using a pedestrian crossing along Bukit Panjang Road.
Another person was also hit but Mr. Tong was the only fatality.
The car, which bore a consular number plate belonging to the Romanian embassy, was later found abandoned in Sungei Kadut Avenue, off Woodlands Road.
Dr Ionescu, 49, did not attend the hearing. He is in Romania, where he had returned shortly after the accident, for medical treatment, he claimed.
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