New Zealand court grants former military attache bail

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Muhammad Rizalman charged with attempted rape, runs to a waiting taxi outside the Wellington District Court after being released on bail in Wellington, New Zealand. — AFP photo

WELLINGTON: Muhammad Rizalman Ismail, the former Malaysian military attaché to Wellington currently facing several criminal charges here in New Zealand, was yesterday released from remand after Judge Arthur Tompkins of the Wellington District Court agreed to grant him bail.

Under the New Zealand bail system, a defendant can be released while proceedings are taking place but must comply with specified conditions in addition to the requirement that they attend the scheduled court hearings. No postings of monies need be involved.

In granting the bail, Judge Tompkins imposed a number of conditions including that Rizalman surrender his passport, avoid contact with his alleged victim and be on overnight curfew.

Rizalman was seen immediately leaving for an undisclosed location after the hearing but will have to appear in court again next week for a hearing on the extension of his bail.

Under New Zealand law, both defendants and alleged victims have the right to apply for their names to be suppressed in the media, subject to the discretion of the courts.

In this case, Tania Billingsley, the alleged victim has agreed to be named so that she could speak out about the case while for Rizalman, the media spotlight was such that the option quickly became unavailable. — Bernama