Vietnamese Officials Evade Extradition over NZ Assault Charges

Wellington, Oct 2 (AP) Two Vietnamese officials accused of sexually assaulting two young female servers at a New Zealand restaurant will not return to face charges, after extradition efforts faltered, New Zealand authorities confirmed Thursday.

New Zealand police haven't disclosed specifics on the failed attempts, as the two nations lack an extradition treaty, and Hanoi would have needed to voluntarily hand over the suspects.

“It's disappointing that police requests for extradition have been unsuccessful,” stated a spokesperson for New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. “Clearly it is not the outcome we wanted.”

One victim, Ali Cook, claimed she and a colleague were assaulted in March 2024 at their workplace in a Vietnamese restaurant in Wellington. The incident took place just before a planned visit from Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính. The accused men were “associated with the police” in Vietnam and had met New Zealand officers at a police training college, as Luxon shared last December.

Cook recounted to The Associated Press that she and the other server were attacked in a private karaoke room. Two men allegedly pulled them into their laps, pinned them against a wall, and groped them. Cook also reported being forced to consume alcohol and suspected she was drugged.

Cook, a 19-year-old US national at the time, sustained an injury and reported the attack to authorities the next day.

Although The Associated Press generally does not name sexual abuse victims, Cook chose to use her name.

Detective Inspector John Van Den Heuvel remarked in December that investigators were confident in charging the men with indecent assault had they stayed in Wellington. Indecent assault in New Zealand involves unwanted sexual contact and carries a penalty of up to seven years' imprisonment.

In February, New Zealand's Police reported a senior investigator had met with Hanoi counterparts to facilitate extradition. Cook revealed she received no clear explanation from police this week on why extradition efforts were unsuccessful.

“I really do feel betrayed by the government,” she expressed, pointing to Prime Minister Luxon's February visit to Vietnam aimed at deepening bilateral relations, which she noted appeared diplomatically productive.

“I don't understand why they're OK with that,” she added.

Police Superintendent Corrie Parnell assured that although investigators weren't pursuing further leads currently, the case would reopen should either suspect return to New Zealand.

“We know this is disappointing for the complainants. We can assure them that all options are still being considered,” Parnell conveyed.

New Zealand's foreign ministry has expressed “serious concerns” regarding the issue to Vietnam's government, according to a spokesperson. No immediate comment was available from Vietnam's foreign ministry or its Wellington embassy.

Officials confirmed the men had left New Zealand before their identities were verified, noting they wouldn't have qualified for diplomatic immunity reserved for high-ranking diplomats.

There is precedent for voluntary extradition to New Zealand without a treaty. In 2014, a Malaysian embassy worker faced and admitted to an indecent assault charge after mistaken diplomatic protection allowed his departure.

Muhammad Rizalman Ismail eventually returned and was held accountable for the attack on a 21-year-old woman in her home. (AP) NPK NPK

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