Two Pakistani diplomats in UK accused of abduction, rape

Published July 17, 2014
FCO minister Mark Simmonds. — Photo by AFP
FCO minister Mark Simmonds. — Photo by AFP

The British Foreign and Commonwealth office (FCO) disclosed a list of the most serious alleged offences committed in 2013 which included representatives from Pakistan accused of child abduction and rape, according to a report published in The Independent.

The accused men were among foreign diplomats suspected of 14 crimes — who are entitled to diplomatic immunity and thus protected from British law.

Two Saudi men were arrested for drink-driving and have escaped prosecution despite the fact that the crime entails brutal lashings in their own country. A diplomat from Kuwait — where alcohol is banned — was also accused of drink-driving.

FCO minister, Mark Simmonds had on Tuesday presented to the British parliament the list of diplomats, who had allegedly committed ‘serious and significant’ crimes.

He said the Metropolitan Police’s Diplomatic Protection Group had warned the FCO regarding 14 criminal offences committed by foreign diplomats.

Simmons added that the number of crimes committed by members of the diplomat community in UK was significantly low.

“The FCO does not tolerate foreign diplomats breaking the law,” the FCO minister said.

As per the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, those granted immunity are expected to obey the law and if allegations come at the forefront, the relevant foreign government can be asked to withdraw the privilege so that an investigation can be carried out against the accused.

Earlier last year, the FCO had made that request for five of the most serious crimes, including those committed by the Pakistani diplomats.

Despite the fact that the Pakistani government had partially lifted immunity in one case so that police could interview the diplomat, there were no legal compulsions for complying with the British request.

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