Judge rejects Ionescu request
BUCHAREST - Former Romanian Charge d'Affaires Silviu Ionescu has
suffered a setback in his bid to be released from jail as he stands
trial for manslaughter.
The presiding judge has rejected his request to be released on judicial supervision.
The ruling was read out in court yesterday in a public session, but not
in the presence of either Ionescu or his attorney. Their presence was
not mandatory under Romanian law.
Ionescu's lawyer, Mr Nelu Tasca, has already appealed against the ruling.
The appeal will be referred to a higher court today and a decision will have to be made no later than Monday.
Last night, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affais (MFA) stressed that
the trial of former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu is not about the
Singapore system or its government. It said this in response to queries
about the allegations by Dr Ionescu that there was a political
conspiracy.
"The trial is about what happened on 15 December 2009 which resulted in
death and serious injuries, and the evidence found has pointed to
Ionescu," an MFA spokesman said.
"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
Originally posted by bic_cherry:Judge rejects Ionescu request-by Claudia Craiu in Romania [email protected],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 'one-upmanship' 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 at least tacitly admitted that
Romania has the first duty and honour of persecuting Ionescu (with the
assistance of the SG MFA)- i.e. the original involvement of Interpol big
brouhaha was quite uncalled for and 'indiplomatic'.
Hiya,
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 lane, 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 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]
Wait-and-see for Ionescu in appeal for release under judicial supervision
SINGAPORE: It's wait-and-see for former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu, who's on trial for two hit-and run accidents in Singapore.
He appeared for the second time in a Romanian court on Thursday seeking to be released while he's on trial.
He wants to be released under judicial supervision which means he can be freed from detention but has to report to the police.
The decision from the Tribunal's judges is expected later on Thursday.
Ionescu entered the courtroom, looking calm, holding a bottle of water and trying to find a familiar face in the room.
This time, no member of his family was present.
For the 2.5 hours Ionescu waited his turn before the judge, he was
seated in the defendant's box amid convicts and defendants on trial for
crimes like rape, murder and theft.
When he was finally heard, Ionescu repeated the same arguments but with some twists of words.
He said: "If I were to read the indictment against me, I would probably
give myself not 7, but 25 years behind bars. I understand the
Singaporeans' outrage. I would be just as outraged having heard of such a
case having happened in my own country. But all this outrage and all
these accusations rely on false witnesses, on false or circumstantial
evidence".
This was the core of Ionescu's statement, whose defence now is focused
on proving that the prosecutors are trying to force a confession out of
him by keeping him under arrest.
Under Romanian law, a case can rarely be won on circumstantial evidence alone and without a confession from the defendant.
Last Tuesday, Ionescu asked the lower court handling his case to release him under judicial supervision.
His main argument was that, after three months behind bars, none of the accusation witnesses showed up to testify.
Ionescu's lawyer Nelu Tasca had argued that it was pointless for his
client to wait in jail for some witnesses who will probably never show
up.
That request was rejected almost immediately.
Ionescu's arrest warrant is up for re-examination again on August 17, in
case this second attempt for release fails and would be his other
available chance of freedom.
- CNA/vm
Ionescu fails again in appeal to be released from detention
SINGAPORE: Former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu has failed again in his appeal to be released from detention while he's on trial for two hit-and-run accidents in Singapore.
The panel of three women judges from the Bucharest Tribunal that heard on Thursday Ionescu's plea for release under judicial supervision decided to keep him behind bars and to reject his bid for freedom.
The court has yet to announce its motivation behind the ruling that was announced earlier on Friday in a public court session, where neither Ionescu, nor his lawyer were present.
On the other hand, Ionescu still has another chance at freedom on August 17, when he is expected to appear before the judge, who will review his arrest warrant.
His attorney said that he will appeal to an even higher court, the Bucharest Appeal Court, but only if on August 17, the judge decides to extend his warrant.
The next important date on the trial's schedule is October 6.
That is when his actual trial continues, on four counts of manslaughter, causing injury, fleeing the scene of an accident and false statement.
For these, under Romanian law, he faces a term of maximum seven years in prison.
-CNA/vm
Ionescu in another bid for release from detention in Romania
Bucharest, ROMANIA : The Romanian Court is expected to decide on Wednesday whether former diplomat Silviu Ionescu can be released from detention, even as he faces trial.
Ionescu appeared in a Romanian court on Tuesday morning for a brief session in another attempt to seek his release from detention.
Tuesday's hearing was to review Ionescu's arrest warrant.
Ionescu's lawyer, Nelu Tasca, argued that the prosecutor does not
have any evidence that can place the former diplomat at the scene of the
crime when it allegedly happened in Singapore last December.
He argued that the prosecutor's indictment document had not named the
key witness who had identified Ionescu as the driver during the
coroner's inquiry in Singapore.
However, he did not expect a spectacular outcome from Tuesday's hearing.
He plans to take the case to the Romanian Appeals Court if the
diplomat's case for release is rejected by the court.
Ionescu had failed on August 6 in his appeal to be released from
detention while he is on trial for two hit-and-run accidents in
Singapore in December last year which claimed the life of a pedestrian.
He will be in court again on October 6, when his trial proceeds with
four counts of manslaughter, causing injury, fleeing the scene of an
accident and giving false statement.
- CNA/al
he can carry on playing/ appealing.
Actually if he didn't make those claims abt 'conspiracy' theory, it wun be tat bad. Tat kind of behaviour is unacceptable.
Singapore's Special Envoy to Romania to attend Ionescu's trial
SINGAPORE : Singapore's Special Envoy to Romania, Ambassador Anil Kumar Nayar, will attend the trial of former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu in Bucharest, Romania on Wednesday.
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Mr Nayar will be accompanied by a representative from the Attorney-General's Chambers.
Dr Ionescu is being detained while he faces trial for two hit-and-run accidents in Singapore in December last year which claimed the life of a pedestrian.
On Wednesday, his trial will proceed with four counts of
manslaughter, causing injury, fleeing the scene of an accident and
giving a false statement.
- CNA/al
Victim to testify
ONE of the victims in the hit-and-run accident involving former Romanian charge d'affaires Silviu Ionescu, 50, has flown to Romania to testify against the ex-diplomat.
Mr Bong Hwee Haw, 24, is understood to have left on Monday night with his mother for the trial, which starts today in Bucharest.
Contacted before he left, he declined to comment on his role in the trial, but sounded coherent and energetic over the phone. When he gave evidence at a coroner's inquiry in Singapore in March, he had shuffled unsteadily to the stand, looked lost and struggled to answer questions.
He had sustained head injuries so severe in the accident on Dec 15 last year that a doctor who testified in court said half of the patients who sustain such wounds die.
Mr Bong told The Straits Times on Monday: 'I'm still undergoing physiotherapy and feel better now. But I still feel pain in my bones when the weather is cold. I'm confident of starting my croupier job, but we'll see. It's hard to say.'
At the inquiry, he had initially said he remembered nothing of the accident that took the life of his close friend, Mr Tong Kok Wai, 30.
-- ST
Ionescu's trial starts
BUCHAREST - THE trial of a Romanian diplomat charged with manslaughter following a hit-and-run car crash in Singapore last year opened in Bucharest on Wednesday.
Silviu Ionescu, a former charge d'affaires in Singapore, denies the charge and has been in detention since May, pending his trial. The diplomat is alleged to have hit three pedestrians in December while driving a car belonging to the Romanian mission.
One of them, a 30-year-old Malaysian national, suffered brain damage and died on Christmas Day. One of the victim's friends, Bonghwee Haw, a Malaysian who was also severely injured in the crash, was in court and is due to testify later Wednesday.
'He came here today to make sure that justice is delivered,' his lawyer, Namasivayan Sririvasan, told AFP.
Ionescu has been charged with manslaughter, causing physical injuries and making false statements, the general prosecutor's office said. He has denied he was the driver and says the car was stolen. But prosecutors said his story 'does not conform to reality.'
The former diplomat claimed the accusations were an attempt by Singapore authorities to 'disparage' him, following his public remarks 'criticising some of their decisions.' Singapore's foreign ministry has repeatedly called on the Romanian government to 'ensure that justice is served' in Ionescu's case. -- AFP
Ionescu maintains innocence
BUCHAREST - THE trial of former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu, who is accused of being involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident in Singapore last year, began yesterday with lawyers arguing over translations for a key witness.
Mr Bong Hwee Haw, 24, one of the three men knocked down, had turned up to seek justice for his friend Tong Kok Wai, 30, who died after an Audi A6 ploughed into them on Dec 15.
His lawyer had to translate his words from Mandarin to English, after which court interpreters translated them into Romanian.
Ionescu's defence objected, noting that translators and lawyers were usually independent, but the court allowed Mr Bong's attorney N. Srinivasan to continue.
The defence also argued that Mr Srinivasan was not recognised as a lawyer under Romanian law, but the judge also allowed him to continue.
The former charge d'affaires has repeatedly denied being behind the wheel and insisted that the Romanian Embassy's car was stolen.
-- ST
Romanian ex-envoy released from detention: "Are we doing enough to put him in jail?"
Former diplomat Silviu Ionescu to remain in prison
BUCHAREST: Former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu will remain in prison in Bucharest.
His appeal for release from detention under judicial supervision was denied by Romania's courts on Tuesday.
Romanian prosecutors successfully argued for the judge not to grant the appeal, and extended the ex-diplomat's detention warrant.
50-year old Ionescu
is accused of hitting three pedestrians in a hit-and-run accident in
Bukit Panjang in Singapore on December 15 last year.
One of the pedestrians died.
Ionescu will be in court again on November 17.
-CNA/ac
S'pore's diplomat in Brussels to attend Ionescu hearing
SINGAPORE: Singapore's diplomat in Brussels, Mr Desmond Koh, will attend the hearing of the former Romanian Chargé d'Affaires in Singapore Silviu Ionescu in Bucharest, Romania on Wednesday, November 17.
Singapore's Foreign Ministry said Mr Koh is attending the hearing on behalf of Singapore's Special Envoy to Romania, Ambassador Anil Kumar Nayar, who is in Singapore.
He will be accompanied by a representative from the Attorney-General's Chambers.
-CNA/fa
Former Romanian diplomat Ionescu released from detention in Bucharest
BUCHAREST: Former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu was released from detention late Thursday night (around 10pm Romanian time, 4am Singapore time).
He had been held in preventive custody at Rahova prison in Bucharest for seven months. His trial began on October 6.
But now Ionescu has
been placed under judicial supervision, which means that he cannot leave
the country and must show up for his Court dates. His next appearance
in Court will be on January 12 next year.
Ionescu is facing
charges of homicide, causing physical injuries and making false
statements, arising from two hit-and-run accidents in Singapore last
December.
The decision on Thursday to release him came after his defence counsel had appealed to a higher tribunal in Bucharest.
The
lawyers had previously applied to a Romanian court, which decided
against his request when the trial was adjourned on November 17.
But after many attempts to get their client out of prison, they have now finally succeeded.
The
tribunal's reason for granting Ionescu's request was not available on
Thursday night. It will likely be known on Friday when the Court
reopens.
Ionescu cut a relieved figure on Thursday night when he spoke to reporters outside the prison gates, moments after his release.
He said he would continue to prepare his defence because he considered himself innocent.
He was also glad the decision to release him came when it did. He said it was his wife's 50th birthday on Thursday.
And after a brief moment with his lawyers, friends and son Bogdan, the former diplomat headed home.
- CNA/de
BUCHAREST - SINGAPORE is closely watching the trial of a Romanian diplomat charged with manslaughter following a hit-and-run car accident in the city state and wants 'justice' to be done, a Singapore envoy in Romania said on Wednesday.
'The Singapore government is still watching what is happening very closely", envoy Anil Kumar Nayar told AFP as the trial of a Romanian charge d'affaires accused of killing a man in a car accident in Singapore in 2009 is scheduled to restart on Wednesday.
'The most important thing for us is that we want to make sure that justice is done and we have a commitment from the Romanian government as well that they too would like to see that justice is done", the Brussels-based envoy added while waiting for the hearing to start at a Bucharest tribunal.
Silviu Ionescu, a former charge d'affaires in Singapore, has been charged with manslaughter, causing physical injuries and making false statements after a deadly car accident in December 2009 in Singapore.
The diplomat is alleged to have hit three pedestrians while driving a car belonging to the Romanian mission.
One of them, a 30-year-old Malaysian national, suffered brain damage and died on Christmas Day. Ionescu is also alleged to have fled the scene. However he denies he was the driver and says the car was stolen.
-- AFP
Ionescu trial: Singapore envoy to attend
SINGAPORE: The trial of former Romanian diplomat Dr Silviu Ionescu will open again on Wednesday in Bucharest, Romania.
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says its special envoy to Romania, Anil Kumar Nayar, will attend the hearing.
He will be accompanied by a representative from the Attorney-General's Chambers.
Ionescu
faces charges of homicide, causing physical injuries and making false
statements arising from two hit-and-run accidents in Singapore in
December 2009.
At the last court session in November 2010, his lawyers succeeded in securing his release from detention with conditions.
The conditions included prohibiting him from leaving Bucharest and requiring him to report to court when summoned.
- CNA/ir
SINGAPORE'S Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon on the continuing trial of Dr Silviu Ionescu in Romania.
The MFA statement read: 'The Ministry has been informed that the Prosecution Office of Romania has decided to appeal against the decision of the Court to allow Dr Silviu Ionescu to travel outside of Bucharest. The hearing for the appeal is scheduled for Feb 7 2011 (Monday).'
Ionescu - on trial for two Dec 2009 hit-and-run incidents in Singapore - faces charges of homicide, causing physical injuries and making false statements.
Last week, a Romanian court decided to allow Ionescu to travel out of the Romanian capital, Bucharest, after the former diplomat appealed.
Ionescu had told the court that he needed to travel as he was now a business consultant, and that he needed money as he was the sole breadwinner in his family.
-- ST
SINGAPORE'S Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) was informed that the appeal by the Romania Prosecution Office against the Romanian Court's decision to allow Dr Silviu Ionescu to travel out of Bucharest had been rejected.
However, Dr Ionescu is not allowed to leave Romania, not permitted to change his residence without the prior approval of the court and, among other things, cannot drive any vehicle.
He is also prohibited from approaching and communicating with the injured person, members of his family, witnesses or experts.
The MFA trusts the Romanian authorities to ensure Dr Ionescu complies strictly with the supplementary obligations imposed by the Court.
The next hearing is scheduled for Mar 9 2011.
The MFA added in its statement that it will continue to monitor the proceedings closely and 'expects the Romanian authorities to honour its assurances given to the Singapore Government that justice will be done.
-- ST
Special envoy to Romania to attend Ionescu trial
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Special Envoy to Romania, Anil Kumar Nayar, will attend the trial of former diplomat Silviu Ionescu in Bucharest tomorrow.
A statement from Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry says he will be accompanied by a representative from the Attorney-General's Chambers.
Ionescu, who's
formerly the Charge d' Affaires to Singapore, faces trial for causing
the death of a pedestrian here in December 2009.
He has also been charged for causing physical injuries and making false statements.
- CNA/cc
Witnesses to testify via videolink in Romanian diplomat case
SINGAPORE : A Romanian court has ruled that over 20 witnesses from Singapore will be able to testify via videolink in the trial involving former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu.
The group includes two victims of the hit-and-run case.
The incident occurred on December 2009 in Singapore, and left one dead and two injured.
The witnesses will testify between May 6 and May 20.
The
ruling is considered a breakthrough for the prosecution which has so
far been in a deadlock on how to interview its witnesses.
In court on Wednesday, Ionescu appeared relaxed and confident.
They requested to file evidence from Singapore which they claim would prove Ionescu's innocence.
This
includes telephone and security records showing he was at the Romanian
embassy in Singapore at the time of the accident, as well as testimony
from a taxi driver.
Ionescu also argued in court that there were discrepancies between the Singapore police report and what he claims as fact.
He
said for instance, that the Malaysian victim, Tong Kok Wai, 30, who
died on Christmas Day, was cremated a day before the coroner's report
was made.
Speaking to reporters before the session, Singapore's
Special Envoy to Romania, Anil Kumar Nayer, said the most important
thing was that the trial continues and that justice is done.
He added that the Singapore government is watching the proceedings closely.
The next hearing is on May 6.
Ionescu is on trial for culpable manslaughter, fleeing the scene of an accident, and giving false statements.
- CNA /ls
Witnesses to testify via videolink in Romanian diplomat case
Source: Channel News Asia
SINGAPORE : A
Romanian court has ruled that over 20 witnesses from Singapore will be
able to testify via videolink in the trial involving former Romanian
diplomat Silviu Ionescu.
The group includes two victims of the hit-and-run case.
The incident occurred on December 2009 in Singapore, and left one dead and two injured.
The witnesses will testify between May 6 and May 20.
The
ruling is considered a breakthrough for the prosecution which has so
far been in a deadlock on how to interview its witnesses.
In court on Wednesday, Ionescu appeared relaxed and confident.
They requested to file evidence from Singapore which they claim would prove Ionescu's innocence.
This
includes telephone and security records showing he was at the Romanian
embassy in Singapore at the time of the accident, as well as testimony
from a taxi driver.
Ionescu also argued in court that there were discrepancies between the Singapore police report and what he claims as fact.
He
said for instance, that the Malaysian victim, Tong Kok Wai, 30, who
died on Christmas Day, was cremated a day before the coroner's report
was made.
Speaking to reporters before the session, Singapore's
Special Envoy to Romania, Anil Kumar Nayer, said the most important
thing was that the trial continues and that justice is done.
He added that the Singapore government is watching the proceedings closely.
The next hearing is on May 6.
Ionescu is on trial for culpable manslaughter, fleeing the scene of an accident, and giving false statements.
- CNA /ls
Ionescu trial begins in Romania
BUCHAREST: Key witnesses from Singapore on Friday gave their testimonies in the hit-and-run case against former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu via video-link.
At just before 10am Romania time (4pm Singapore time), Ionescu appeared in the court in Bucharest, claiming his innocence.
He said he is looking forward to seeing the witnesses in court.
Bong
Hwee Haw, who survived the hit-and-run accident, was first to testify
and told the court about the accident in the early hours of December 15,
2009 which killed his friend, Malaysian Tong Kok Wai.
Romanian
embassy employee Marius Trusca also took the stand and gave an account
of how he changed cars with Ionescu -- leaving him with the embassy's
black Audi A6.
His wife, Maria, also testified via video-link.
Singapore's special envoy to Romania, Mr Anil Kumar Nayar, was present in court during the hearing.
Ionescu is on trial for culpable manslaughter, fleeing the scene of an accident, and giving false statements.
Other
witnesses in Singapore - including Mr Tong's widow - are also expected
to give their testimonies via video-link, which are scheduled to
continue till May 20.
Leaving the court room, Ionescu stated that he is satisfied with the testimonies given.
"The
witnesses told the truth; it was what I had expected them to do. Some
of them might have remembered a bit more, but overall, it's ok," Ionescu
said.
Mr Anil Kumar Nayar said that he appreciates the efforts made by the Romanian state to bring light into this case.
The next court date is on May 12, when four more witnesses are to be heard.
-CNA/wk
Ionescu trial adjourned for insurance firm to examine case file
BUCHAREST : The trial in Romania against its diplomat Silviu Ionescu for a hit-and-run case in Singapore, has been adjourned to Friday, after three witnesses took the stand on Thursday.
This was because Carpatica, the insurance company that insures the Romanian Foreign Office's cars, had asked for an extension to examine the case file.
Two witnesses
arrived at the court punctually for Thursday's video-linked hearing at
10am Romanian time, but the third was late because he had difficulty
getting a car park lot.
The first witness was the man who had
invited Ionescu to the karaoke bar, while the second was in charge of
the car log at the building where Ionescu's lady friend lived.
Before the hearing started, Ionescu said his defence team plans to refute the second witness and his log entries.
Desmond Koh, the deputy chief of mission at the Singaporean Embassy in Brussels, was also in attendance on Thursday.
The
trial was to be held in a separate council chamber, where four more
Singaporean witnesses were to give their accounts of the events on the
day of the accident on December 15, 2009, via video link.
Six witnesses will be heard on Friday, starting at 2pm Singapore time.
Separately, the court date for May 17 has been moved to May 19, as the 17th is the Vesak Day public holiday in Singapore.
The trial is now scheduled to continue on May 13, 19 and 20.
- CNA/al
A WITNESS told a Romanian court via videolink that he would be able to recognise the driver of the car that ploughed into his friend between 2am and 3am on Dec 15, 2009. Mr Ricarno Izaan Lachica said it was a Caucasian man at the wheel.
The 22-year-old full-time National Serviceman was not asked to identify the culprit but Judge Raluca Andras asked to return next Friday as the court may have more questions.
The former Romanian charge d'affaires in Singapore, Silviu Ionescu, is presently on trial in a Bucharest court for manslaughter, causing physical injuries and making false statements. The ex-diplomat, 51, is alleged to have hit three pedestrians while driving a car belonging to the Romanian mission, and to have fled the scene.
He denies he was the driver at the time and says that the black Audi A6 had been stolen while he was working at the embassy at about the time of the accident.
In the first hit-and-rum along Bukit Panjang Road, hotel assistant manager Tong Kok Wai, 30, a Malaysian, suffered brain damage and died on Christmas Day. His friend, Mr Bong Hwee Haw, 24, also a Malaysian, was severely injured in the crash but has recovered. A few hundred metres down the road, Mr Muhammad Haris Abu Talib, 19, was run down.
His elder brother Muhammad Zahari, 24, a second-year undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University, said the group had waited at the junction with Bangkit Road until the 'green man' came on. Midway Bukit Panjang Road, he became aware of a car speeding at them and jumped out of its way.
More witnesses are expected to testify via videolink next Thursday.
-- ST
---