Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says a Malaysian diplomat at the centre of a sex attack case is due to return to New Zealand soon.
Muhammad Rizalman. Photo: FACEBOOK
After being charged with burglary and sexual assault of a woman in Wellington in May this year, Muhammad Rizalman was allowed to claim diplomatic immunity and leave the country.
In a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade botch-up, the 35-year-old was allowed to leave despite Malaysia being prepared to waive his immunity.
Mr McCully said on Wednesday that arrangements for Mr Rizalman's return are being completed at the moment.
The minister said it is the hands of the lawyers, and legal authorities on both sides are liaising. However, he could not give a specific timeframe for Mr Rizalman's return.