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Romania Wants Russian Diplomat's Immunity Lifted After Auto Accident


Romania's foreign minister has asked Russia to lift the diplomatic immunity of a Russian official whose vehicle knocked over a woman on a pedestrian crossing in Bucharest.

Titus Corlatean summoned Russian Ambassador Oleg Malghinov to his ministry to express "deep concern with the grave injury of a Romanian citizen."

The 19-year-old student is in an induced coma in hospital after the October 21 accident, when she was hit by an embassy vehicle.

Corlatean said on October 23 that authorities expect the embassy to cooperate fully in the investigation.

Police are investigating the diplomat, whom Romanian media has named as Aleksandr Yevchukov, and who refused to take a breath test or give other samples, citing diplomatic immunity.

Both Romania and Russia have ratified the 1961 Vienna Convention that forms the legal basis for diplomatic immunity.

Based on reporting by AP and hotnews.ro

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