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Former Malaysian diplomat returns to court

Author
NZME. News,
Publish Date
Fri, 21 Nov 2014, 7:53AM
(Photo: NewspixNZ/NZ Herald)
(Photo: NewspixNZ/NZ Herald)

Former Malaysian diplomat returns to court

Author
NZME. News,
Publish Date
Fri, 21 Nov 2014, 7:53AM

A former Malaysian High Commission staffer will reappear in court today for a plea hearing.

Muhammad Rizalman, 38, has been charged with burglary and assault with intent to commit sexual violation.

The charges related to events that allegedly happened at the home of Tania Billingsley on May 9.

He will appear at the Wellington District Court today where he is expected to make a plea.

Earlier this month Rizalman was bailed to an undisclosed address.

He was required to surrender his passport, have an overnight curfew, have no contact with the complainant and not travel to Newtown, Berhampore or Cuba St.

Rizalman was a defence staff assistant at the High Commission of Malaysia when the alleged offences took place.

Following Rizalman's arrest on May 10, New Zealand asked Malaysia to waive diplomatic immunity but on May 22 he left the country after a mix-up between officials.

At the end of June the case was made public and an inquiry began over how the diplomat was allowed to leave.

Malaysia confirmed on July 2 that Rizalman would be returned to New Zealand after psychiatric assessments.

Rizalman arrived in the country late last month and first appeared in court the following day.

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