Croatian envoy to KL removed

Croatian envoy to KL removed

KUALA LUMPUR (UPI): Croatian President Franjo Tudjman removed his country's ambassador to Malaysia in the wake of accusations that the envoy raped a Filipina maid, an embassy spokesman said yesterday.

Maria Fe Ocampo, 27, filed a lawsuit last Wednesday against Ambassador Kresmir Znaidaric, whom she said raped her four times between April and August.

An embassy official said the ambassador, who denied allegations that he raped the maid, was relieved of his duties and left Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

The Croatian state news agency reported Tudjman relieved Znidaric of his duties Sept. 23, acting on a proposal from Foreign Minister Mate Granic.

Ocampi's attorney, Karpal Singh, demanded the Croatian government lift Znidaric's immunity "so that he will face charges in court." Diplomats serving in foreign countries are granted immunity from criminal charges, but Ocampo lodged a civil suit against the ambassador asking damages for the alleged rapes.