A Malaysian military official accused of attempting to sexually assault a woman in New Zealand will be extradited to Wellington to face trial, the Malaysian foreign ministry says.
Muhammad Rizalman Ismail will fly from Malaysia on Friday accompanied by two New Zealand police officers and two Malaysian military officers based on an extradition request New Zealand made on October 3, the ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
Muhammad Rizalman was working at the Malaysian Embassy in Wellington when he was arrested on May 9 for allegedly following a 21-year-old woman home and assaulting her.
The 35-year-old was charged with burglary and attempted rape.
But a blunder by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs meant he was allowed to leave the country two weeks later.
The New Zealand government had asked for diplomatic immunity to be waived so he could face the charges in New Zealand, but ministry officials gave the Malaysian government the impression it was acceptable for Rizalman to go home.
"Rizalman's return to New Zealand is a testimony of the close cooperation between the various government agencies of both Malaysia and New Zealand and in keeping with the rule of law of both countries," the Malaysian ministry statement said.
"Malaysia is confident that Mr Rizalman will be accorded a fair trial by the New Zealand court."
His return came after months of delay as Malaysia's government said Muhammad Rizalman had to undergo physical and mental examination to ensure he is fit for trial.
Malaysian officials have also expressed concerns after the accuser spoke out publicly. They said anybody involved in a case should not be speaking publicly in way which could prejudice a defendant's right to a fair trial.
