Muhammad Rizalman will face a trial by jury in the High Court in Wellington later this year.
PETALING JAYA: Disgraced former Malaysian diplomat Muhammad Rizalman Ismail has pleaded not guilty to a charge of indecent assault for an incident that happened in Wellington, New Zealand last year.
Rizalman, 39 will have a hearing in August where pre-trial issues will be dealt with.
Earlier the former military attache of the Malaysian High Commission in New Zealand had pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault with intent to commit sexual violation and burglary by remaining in a building, a report in The Dominion Post said.
Currently on bail, Rizalman was arrested May 10 last year following police reports made by Tania Billingsley, then 21, who accused him of trying to sexually assault her.
Despite the police report, he left New Zealand without facing trial when Malaysia invoked diplomatic immunity, which was granted, after a mix-up at the offices of the New Zealand government.
However a public outcry that saw the New Zealand government come under intense criticism, led to the filling of extradition proceedings in Malaysia.
He duly returned to New Zealand to face the courts after several delays citing ill health. He was eventually escorted back by police.
The trial is expected to begin in November this year in Wellington.
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