Malaysia to ship crime suspect to New Zealand

Friday, July 4, 2014

The Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A Malaysian military official who is being sent back to New Zealand to face charges of sexual assault and burglary will no longer be protected by diplomatic immunity, New Zealand officials confirmed Thursday.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said in an email that his Malaysian counterpart had told him Malaysia was now willing to waive the man’s right to immunity, after invoking it in May to take him home. McCully said a date hasn’t been finalized for the military official to return, although it’s likely to be “days, not weeks.”

Without diplomatic protection, the official faces immediate arrest upon his arrival in New Zealand after a court earlier issued a warrant.

Muhammad Rizalman was working at the Malaysian Embassy in Wellington when he was detained May 9. He was accused of following a 21-year-old woman home and assaulting her. He was charged with burglary and assault with the intent to rape, each of which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

He claimed diplomatic immunity and returned home May 22.

Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that 2nd Warrant Officer Muhammad Rizalman Ismail will return to Wellington “to assist in the investigation” there.