Saudi Diplomat Accused of Raping Maids Leaves India under Cover of Immunity

THE TELEGRAPH: Police removed two Nepalese maids from the diplomat's home last week; they accuse him of confining and raping them for months

A Saudi Arabian diplomat accused of repeatedly raping and abusing two Nepalese maids has left India under cover of diplomatic immunity, while Nepal on Thursday called for justice for the women.

India's External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup identified the diplomat as Majed Hassan Ashoor, the first secretary at the Saudi Embassy in New Delhi. The statement late on Wednesday said Mr Ashoor, "who is allegedly accused of abusing two Nepali maids, has left India".

It gave no details on how the diplomat left the country, but said "the first secretary, being a diplomat, is governed by the provisions of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations."

The two Nepalese, working as maids in the diplomat's luxury apartment, have accused him of illegally confining and raping them during the past few months. » | AP | Thursday, September 17, 2015

Jemima Khan 'Would Like to See Julian Assange Confront Rape Allegations'
THE GUARDIAN: Socialite who donated to WikiLeaks founder's bail money also defends him over fears of extradition to US

One of Julian Assange's most prominent supporters, Jemima Khan, has said she would like to see the WikiLeaks founder, who has made an asylum bid to avoid extradition to Sweden, confront the rape allegations made against him by two Swedish women.

The socialite and charity fundraiser, who faces losing the £20,000 she put towards his bail money after Assange took refuge at the Ecuadorean embassy in London and sought political asylum, said on Twitter that the women deserved a response to their allegations.

She wrote: "For the record, in response to those asking about Assange & bail money.... I personally would like to see Assange confront the rape allegations in Sweden and the 2 women at the centre have a right to a response."

But Khan, one of several high-profile celebrities and activists who have supported Assange since his arrest in December 2010, said she also believed Assange was justified over his fears of being extradited to the US if he goes to Sweden.

"[T]here is no doubt that Assange has a real fear of being extradited to the US nor that the US gov is out to get WikiLeaks," she tweeted. » | David Batty | Friday, June 22, 2012

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