REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, WELLINGTON -- A Malaysian diplomat accused of a sex attack on a young woman in Wellington in May was granted bail on his second appearance since his extradition in the Wellington District Court on Tuesday (28/10).
Former defense attache Muhammad Rizalman, 35, had been held in custody since returning to New Zealand late Friday and appearing in court Saturday to face charges of intent to rape and burglary.
Radio New Zealand reported that Judge Arthur Tompkins bailed him to an undisclosed address and ordered that he not contact any witnesses in the case.
He was also banned from central Wellington's Cuba Street and two of the city's suburbs.
Rizalman would return to court for a further bail application next week, said the report.
Rizalman left New Zealand on May 22 after he was first charged and released on bail.
He claimed diplomatic immunity after New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials bungled the case and gave Malaysian officials the impression that New Zealand would not object if he returned home to Malaysia.
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