Malaysian envoy gets bail on New Zealand sex charge

WELLINGTON: A Malaysian diplomat extradited to New Zealand to face an attempted rape charge was granted bail today after his lawyer denied he fled the country under the cloak of diplomatic immunity.
Muhammad Rizalman Ismail agreed to strict conditions, including a curfew, not contacting his alleged victim, surrendering his passport and remaining under the supervision of two Malaysian military attaches.
The 38-year-old is accused of stalking and attempting to rape 21-year-old Tania Billingsley last May at her home in the same Wellington suburb where Malaysia's High Commission is located.
The envoy, who was a defence staff assistant at the high commission, was charged at the time with burglary and assault with intent to rape but left Wellington after Malaysian authorities told their New Zealand counterparts they would not waive diplomatic immunity in the case.
Rizalman's barrister, Donald Stevens, said Malaysian officials, not Rizalman, made the decision to invoke diplomatic immunity and send him back to Kuala Lumpur.
"He left the country because the Malaysian High Commission would not waive diplomatic immunity and he was directed to do so by the Malaysian government and, as a serving officer in the army, he was required to follow orders."
Arguing that Rizalman was not a flight risk, Stevens said his client had not contested a New Zealand extradition request because he wanted to return to Wellington and "get the matter sorted out".
Judge Arthur Tompkins granted bail but said Rizalman's lawyers must apply again to have it extended on Nov 3.
He ordered Rizalman to return to court on Nov 21 to enter pleas on charges arising from the alleged attack, details of which have not been publicly released.
Rizalman faces a jail term of up to 10 years if found guilty. – AFP