Romanian Fmr Envoy Ionescu Cannot Be Extradited To Singapore – Justice Ministry

The ministry said Friday Ionescu cannot be placed under provisional arrest to be extradited to Singapore, as Romania did not lift the former envoy's diplomatic immunity.

Interpol Romania forwarded to the Justice Ministry the Singaporean authorities' request to place Ionescu under provisional arrest.

The Justice 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 ministry also said that, according to Romania's Constitution, Romanian citizens cannot be extradited or expelled from their country.

People close to the matter said Thursday that Singapore's Police sent Interpol Romania an international arrest warrant against Ionescu.

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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