The New Zealand government has officially filed an extradition request for a Malaysian diplomat accused of sexual assault returned to that country to face charges.

According to New Zealand news site stuff.co.nz today, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) spokesperson confirmed the request has been sent to the Malaysian authorities.

Second Warrant Officer Muhammad Rizalman Ismail made headlines nearly five months ago when he was arrested for alleged burglary and assault with intent to rape but was allowed to be brought back to Malaysia after some diplomatic intrigue.

After uproars on both sides, the Malaysian government agreed to send Rizalman back to Wellington to be tried, but dragged its feet, claiming extended psychiatric evaluations on Rizalman (left).

The Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement today that it was working with the New Zealand government on the extradition process for Rizalman.
 
“The process to extradite Rizalman is being undertaken in a spirit of close cooperation within the existing legal parameters in Malaysia and New Zealand,” the ministry said.
 
However, the ministry also pointed out that consideration should be given because there exists no extradition treaty between the two countries.
 
It added that both countries are “committed” to upholding the rule of law to ensure Rizalman receives a fair trial for the charges filed against him in Wellington.
 
Rizalman was previously posted to the Malaysian High Commission in Wellington, and upon being charged for the crimes against 22-year-old Tania Billingsley on May 9, invoked diplomatic immunity.
 
A miscommunication by MFAT reportedly led to Wisma Putra having the mistaken impression that its Kiwi counterpart had no objection to Rizalman returning to Malaysia to be tried under a military court.

He was flown back to Malaysia on May 22.