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.