Auckland has commenced its bid to extradite former Malaysian military attaché Muhammad Rizalman Ismail to New Zealand for alleged crimes of burglary and assault with intent to rape.

The crimes were said to have been committed in May.

 

According to The New Zealand Herald , the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Mfat) in a statement yesterday said the first step to Rizalman's extradition was initiated in July.

 

"Lawyers from both governments have been sharing documents and working through technically complex legal arrangements.

 

"An announcement will be made once the arrangements are finalised," a government spokesperson was quoted as saying.

 

The spokesperson added that Auckland was satisfied with the process and appreciated the ongoing cooperation offered by Putrajaya.

 

The report added that the extradition process was complex as the two countries did not have any extradition treaty.

 

Earlier this month, Wisma Putra told Malaysiakini that Malaysia was ready to send Rizalman to New Zealand to face trial but was awaiting a formal request from New Zealand.

 

Prior to this, the New Zealand government had refused to disclose any information about the extradition process, merely stating that the legal arrangements were still ongoing.

Rizalman was previously posted to the Malaysian High Commission in Wellington, but allegedly committed burglary and assault with intent of rape against 22 year old Tania Billingsley on May 9.

Upon being charged however, Rizalman invoked diplomatic immunity and a miscommunication by Mfat reportedly led to Wisma Putra having the mistaken impression that it had no objections to Rizalman returning to Malaysia.

He was flown back to Malaysia on May 22.