Channel NewsAsia: Bucharest court sees final pieces of video evidence for Ionescu case

BUCHAREST: The trial of former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu continued on Wednesday in Bucharest. 

Ionescu is on trial for two hit-and-run accidents in Singapore that killed one and injured two others on December 15, 2009. 

Citing a medical condition and work pressure, Ionescu had earlier said in February 2012 that he had planned to leave Singapore long before 2009 and had wanted a transfer to Spain as vice-consul, a position five ranks lower than the one he held in Singapore. 

But in court on Wednesday, the former Romanian Ambassador to Spain, Maria Gligor, testified that she did not recall Ionescu's request to leave Singapore. 

"I do not recall having such a conversation with Silviu Ionescu," she said. 

"We had an unofficial discussion at an ambassadors' reunion, but I do not recall the topic." 

The court also saw final pieces of the prosecution's video evidence from the day of the accident. 

Taken from a parking lot and the interiors of several buildings, the footage showed Ionescu walking hand in hand with Korean opera singer Jeong Ae Ree. 

The court, however, rejected video material from Romanian tabloid network OTV, saying it was not relevant to the trial. 

Also rejected was the request to hear OTV owner and presenter, Dan Diaconescu, from the defence side. 

A second witness, Ovidiu Hada, Mayor of Hunedoara, a city in Transylvannia, did not turn up for the hearing. 

The judge has issued a warrant for the police to bring the Mayor to court. 

The trial resumes on September 19. 

- CNA/fa