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and yet, still ongoing....WTF!!! Ionescu's hit-and-run trial looks set to come to a close BUCHAREST: The trial of Silviu Ionescu, the former Romanian Charge d'Affaires in Singapore, looks set to come to a close, according to court officials, one-and-a-half years since legal proceedings began. Ionescu is charged with killing a pedestrian and injuring several others in a hit-and-run case in Bukit Panjang on 15 December 2009. He is on trial for culpable manslaughter, fleeing the scene of an accident, and giving false statements. On Wednesday, Ionescu appeared in the Bucharest court at around 11am local time, accompanied by his lawyer, looking visibly older and thinner. He requested to admit another witness, which the court approved. The court also ruled that three other Singaporeans, who refused to give evidence, will now be required to testify. Another three witnesses will reappear in court via videolink to add to their earlier testimonies. A judicial experiment will now be conducted to determine if Ionescu could have been at Bukit Panjang at the time of the accident. This is the second such experiment. The first is a re-enactment of the incident. The conclusion of the first experiment will be announced in January. Singapore's Special Envoy to Romania, Mr Anil Kumar Nayar, attended Wednesday's hearing. Commenting after the proceedings, he said Singapore has Romania's assurance that the trial will be fair and transparent. He said: "It is a sad anniversary that we commemorate two years since the tragic accident, but, no matter how long the trial may take, we will follow this case closely. "We met the Romanian head of diplomacy, Theodor Baconski, in New York this September. He assured us that the trial will be fair and transparent". Ambassador Nayar was accompanied by a representative from the Attorney-General's Chambers of Singapore. The trial resumes on January 18, and is expected to end on January 20.