Malaysian diplomat in NZ believed caught up in assault case
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30:
A Malaysian diplomat is believed to have been accused by New Zealand authorities of assault with the intention to commit rape.
Foreign reports have revealed that the diplomat, who was arrested on May 9, invoked his diplomatic immunity and fled from the country.
Following the incident, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the country formally asked that the diplomat’s immunity be waived, but it was rebuffed.
Stuff.co.nz reported that should the man return to New Zealand, he could face prosecution for the alleged offences.
“We expect this diplomat to face consequences for his actions.
“It was the government’s strong preference that this person be held to account in New Zealand, but this was refused by the sending country,” Key reportedly said.
He added that an order was issued by New Zealand not to reveal details of the diplomat and where he was from as it would breach the suppression order.
“As a signatory to the Vienna Convention, our hands are effectively tied, but we still expect justice for the victim.
“We have been assured this individual will be held to account in his own country,” Key was quoted by stuff.co.nz.
The Vienna Convention states that foreign diplomats are not subjected to the jurisdiction of local courts and authorities.
It was designed that way to ensure that diplomats were allowed to carry out their duties with freedom, independence and security without interference from the host government.
However, Malaysiakini has alleged that the diplomat in question is a Malaysian who worked at the Malaysian High Commission based in Wellington.
The report stated that the man, in his 30s, followed a 21-year-old woman home and assaulted her.
Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman reportedly told Malaysiakini that the matter would be addressed at a press conference tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Key added that there were a lot of complications behind the scenes in the matter that he could not discuss.
He said if there had not been diplomatic immunity, the person would have been held to account and gone through a process in the country.
Key added that he hoped the incident would not hamper relations between them and the sending country, according to stuff.co.nz’s report.
http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/06/30/malaysian-diplomat-nz-believed-caught-assault-case/
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30:
A Malaysian diplomat is believed to have been accused by New Zealand authorities of assault with the intention to commit rape.
Foreign reports have revealed that the diplomat, who was arrested on May 9, invoked his diplomatic immunity and fled from the country.
Following the incident, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the country formally asked that the diplomat’s immunity be waived, but it was rebuffed.
Stuff.co.nz reported that should the man return to New Zealand, he could face prosecution for the alleged offences.
“We expect this diplomat to face consequences for his actions.
“It was the government’s strong preference that this person be held to account in New Zealand, but this was refused by the sending country,” Key reportedly said.
He added that an order was issued by New Zealand not to reveal details of the diplomat and where he was from as it would breach the suppression order.
“As a signatory to the Vienna Convention, our hands are effectively tied, but we still expect justice for the victim.
“We have been assured this individual will be held to account in his own country,” Key was quoted by stuff.co.nz.
The Vienna Convention states that foreign diplomats are not subjected to the jurisdiction of local courts and authorities.
It was designed that way to ensure that diplomats were allowed to carry out their duties with freedom, independence and security without interference from the host government.
However, Malaysiakini has alleged that the diplomat in question is a Malaysian who worked at the Malaysian High Commission based in Wellington.
The report stated that the man, in his 30s, followed a 21-year-old woman home and assaulted her.
Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman reportedly told Malaysiakini that the matter would be addressed at a press conference tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Key added that there were a lot of complications behind the scenes in the matter that he could not discuss.
He said if there had not been diplomatic immunity, the person would have been held to account and gone through a process in the country.
Key added that he hoped the incident would not hamper relations between them and the sending country, according to stuff.co.nz’s report.
http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/06/30/malaysian-diplomat-nz-believed-caught-assault-case/
