A former Romanian diplomat charged with manslaughter after a deadly 2009 car crash in Singapore yesterday called for a new Romanian witness to testify in court.

Silviu Ionescu told the court that the head of the Romanian ministry of foreign affairs human resources department could confirm that he had several times asked to be transferred from Singapore to another diplomatic mission.

The last request dated back to September 2008, around 15 months before the fatal crash, he said.

Ionescu, a former charge d'affaires in the city state, cited health problems and pressures from the Singapore authorities to back his request.

The former diplomat, who denies all charges, alleges he was framed by the Singapore authorities who did not appreciate his critical reports regarding the political situation there.

The diplomat is alleged to have hit three pedestrians in two separate incidents in December 2009, while driving a car belonging to the Romanian mission.

One pedestrian, a 30-year-old Malaysian national, suffered brain damage and died.

Ionescu, who fled the country shortly after the hit-and-run accident, has repeatedly denied he was the driver and says the car was stolen.

He has been charged with manslaughter, causing physical injuries and making false statements.

During yesterday's hearing, the judge decided to send a list of questions to three Singapore witnesses, including the brother-in-law of one of the victims, who have so far declined to appear in court.

Video footage from a karaoke bar where Ionescu is alleged to have spent part of the night before the crash will be shown on April 6, while a new hearing, with several witnesses called to testify, has been scheduled for April 11, the court said.

Several Singaporean and Malaysian witnesses have so far testified at Ionescu's trial, which started in October 2010 in Bucharest.

- AFP