Malaysian diplomat in New Zealand to face assault charges

A Malaysian diplomat, accused of sexual assaulting a young woman in Wellington, was flown to New Zealand and appeared in court Saturday.

Former defence attache Muhammad Rizalman, 35, was remanded in custody when he appeared in Wellington District Court to face charges of attempted rape and burglary, Xinhua reported citing Radio New Zealand.

Rizalman's appearance was brief and he was remanded until Tuesday.

He was accused of stalking and attempting to rape 21-year-old Tania Billingsley at her home in May. Rizalman, who claimed diplomatic immunity, left New Zealand May 22 after he was first charged and released on bail.

Malaysia got New Zealand's request for extradition Oct 3, Radio New Zealand reported.

"Mr. Rizalman's return to New Zealand is 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 foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Malaysia is confident that Mr. Rizalman will be accorded a fair trial by the New Zealand court".

Rizalman, a former defence staff assistant at Malaysia's high commission in Wellington, arrived in Auckland late Friday on a Malaysia Airlines flight with two New Zealand police officers and two officers from Malaysia's armed forces.