The Malaysian Government decided it would be in the interests of justice to return a diplomat charged with a sex offence to New Zealand, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says, Radio New Zealand reports.
Malaysian diplomat to return to NZ to face charges http://t.co/FWWUaSRJsL pic.twitter.com/51aitclqsZ
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Muhammad Rizalman, a 35-year-old defence attaché at the Malaysian High Commission, was charged with burglary and assault with intent to rape in May but left New Zealand with his family after claiming diplomatic immunity.
Late on Wednesday the Malaysian government said Muhammad Rizalman would return.
McCully said he first contacted Malaysia's Foreign Affairs Minister Anifah Aman on Tuesday night, after it was reported Anifah believed his officials had been offered some sort of proposal, which McCully said was news to him.
McCully told Radio New Zealand's Morning Report programme he spoke with his Malaysian counterpart again on Wednesday night.
“He had discussed with his cabinet and with his prime minister the situation, and decided that the interests of justice would be served by returning the person against whom these allegations have been made to New Zealand.”
