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Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Rizalman's alleged victim goes public


Tania Rose Billingsley, the 21-year-old woman who accused Malaysian diplomat Muhammad Rizalman Ismail of attacking her at home in Wellington, has asked the court to allow her name to be made public.

A report on stuff.com.nz says the identity of a complainant in certain sexual cases is automatically suppressed in New Zealand.

"But in the Wellington District Court today, Judge Bruce Davidson granted an application from the woman - represented via a TV station - for her name suppression to be lifted this evening," reported stuff.com.nzportal.

In the case that almost sparked an international row, Rizalman (right) was detained on May 9 and taken to court the next day for attempted burglary and sexual assault on Billingsley.

But he escaped trial and returned to Malaysia on May 22, after some diplomatic wrangling, and the matter sparked public outrage in New Zealand more than a month later, on June 28, when it was publicised.

The suppression of Rizalman's name was lifted after a legal challenge Fairfax Media won in the New Zealand court,stuff.com.nz reported.

Acting for Rizalman as 'friend of the court'

Rizalman was represented at the hearing to name the victim by lawyer Barbara Hunt, who was appointed on an amicus curiae(friend of the court) basis, to preserve a fair trial right for Rizalman.

Hunt was also at last week's hearing on the suppression of Rizalman's name.

Asked by Judge Davidson whether she had heard anything about Rizalman returning to New Zealand, Hunt said it was likely and that she would be his preferred lawyer if he returned.

She said she made inquiries with the Malaysian High Commission but had received no response.

On Monday, the Malaysian government reiterated a promise to send Rizalman back to face trial in New Zealand.

The Malaysian Defence Ministry said Rizalman, a warrant officer previously attached with the High Commission in Wellington, was undergoing psychiatric treatment and pleaded that he remains "innocent until proven otherwise."

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