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Malaysia diplomat denies New Zealand assault charges | Malaysia diplomat denies New Zealand assault charges |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A Malaysian diplomat accused of sexual assault and burglary in New Zealand has pleaded not guilty to his charges in Wellington on Friday. | |
Muhammad Rizalman Ismail also chose to have a jury trial. He remains out on bail but has surrendered his passport. | Muhammad Rizalman Ismail also chose to have a jury trial. He remains out on bail but has surrendered his passport. |
He was extradited to Wellington last month from Kuala Lumpur. | He was extradited to Wellington last month from Kuala Lumpur. |
Mr Muhammad Rizalman had claimed diplomatic immunity and left New Zealand in May shortly after he was charged, sparking outrage. | Mr Muhammad Rizalman had claimed diplomatic immunity and left New Zealand in May shortly after he was charged, sparking outrage. |
The incident embarrassed the two countries, which initially disagreed on how he was allowed to leave. | The incident embarrassed the two countries, which initially disagreed on how he was allowed to leave. |
New Zealand later conceded its officials could have given the impression that they had no objections to his departure. The government is now conducting an inquiry. | New Zealand later conceded its officials could have given the impression that they had no objections to his departure. The government is now conducting an inquiry. |
Malaysia agreed to send Mr Muhammad Rizalman back to face charges. | Malaysia agreed to send Mr Muhammad Rizalman back to face charges. |
The 38-year-old diplomat had worked at the Malaysian High Commission in Wellington as the staff assistant for defence. | The 38-year-old diplomat had worked at the Malaysian High Commission in Wellington as the staff assistant for defence. |
He is accused of following Tania Billingsley to her home in the suburb of Brooklyn on 9 May and attacking her there. | He is accused of following Tania Billingsley to her home in the suburb of Brooklyn on 9 May and attacking her there. |
He faces has a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail if convicted of burglary and assault with the intent to rape. | |
Ms Billingsley waived her right to have her name suppressed and gave a television interview earlier this year criticising her government's handling of the case. | Ms Billingsley waived her right to have her name suppressed and gave a television interview earlier this year criticising her government's handling of the case. |
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