SINGAPORE: A Singapore diplomat suspected of filming a teenager at a public bath in Tokyo does not have diplomatic immunity, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Thursday (Jun 13).
This is because his posting ended as scheduled in mid-April this year, added the ministry in response to CNA's queries.
The 55-year-old man, identified as Sim Siong Chye by Japanese broadcaster NHK, was a former counsellor at the Singapore Embassy in Tokyo.
A counsellor is a diplomatic rank for officers serving overseas, such as in an embassy. According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a diplomat cannot be arrested.
Japanese media reported on Thursday that the man has returned to Japan for questioning by the police.
He arrived in Japan on Jun 9 following a request made by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department through Japan’s Foreign Ministry, reported the Asahi Shimbun newspaper.
MFA said the officer "chose to return to Japan to cooperate with investigations" upon request by the Japanese authorities.
"The Singapore Embassy in Tokyo has engaged with the Japanese authorities to facilitate the ongoing investigations. We should wait for the outcome of these investigations," added the ministry.
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This is because his posting ended as scheduled in mid-April this year, added the ministry in response to CNA's queries.
The 55-year-old man, identified as Sim Siong Chye by Japanese broadcaster NHK, was a former counsellor at the Singapore Embassy in Tokyo.
A counsellor is a diplomatic rank for officers serving overseas, such as in an embassy. According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a diplomat cannot be arrested.
Japanese media reported on Thursday that the man has returned to Japan for questioning by the police.
He arrived in Japan on Jun 9 following a request made by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department through Japan’s Foreign Ministry, reported the Asahi Shimbun newspaper.
MFA said the officer "chose to return to Japan to cooperate with investigations" upon request by the Japanese authorities.
"The Singapore Embassy in Tokyo has engaged with the Japanese authorities to facilitate the ongoing investigations. We should wait for the outcome of these investigations," added the ministry.
Continue reading...