Police have decided not to request extradition of a South Korean diplomat wanted on three charges of indecent assault.
Photo: Richard Tindiller
In July last year, police received a complaint concerning allegations of indecent assault by the diplomat in Wellington.
Following the investigation, an arrest warrant was sought in February this year, but the man had already returned to Korea.
Detective Inspector John Van Den Heuvel, investigation manager of Wellington District, said they would not request his extradition.
"After carefully considering the evidence and legal advice NZ Police has concluded that, while the standard of proof to prosecute the alleged offender and to seek a warrant of arrest had been met, the higher threshold required to initiate extradition proceedings has not been met," he said.
Victims' advocate Louise Nicholas, who has been supporting the complainant, said they were upset and disappointed by the decision.
"It was a bit of a kick for the complainant, we're just sitting back and just letting him sort this out in his head," she said.
"The fact that police dragged the chain on it as well and haven't been open enough to keep [the complainant] in the loop as to what they were actually doing - they just kept saying 'it was at National Police Headquarters' ... there was really no support from police for this person who made the complaint."
Nicholas said she would keep in touch with the complainant about where they would take the matter from here.
Police said they would not be making further comment.