Saudi Arabian diplomat, allegedly accused of rape, leaves country

NEW DELHI: Exactly eight days after the matter of a Saudi diplomat alleged to have raped his two Nepali maids came to light, Riyadh on Wednesday night withdrew the officer of the First Secretary rank Majed Hassan Ashoor from India.

"We learn that Saudi Embassy First Secretary, Mr. Majed Hassan Ashoor, who is allegedly accused of abusing 2 Nepali maids, has left India. The First Secretary being a diplomat is governed by the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations," announced Vikas Swarup MEA Spokesperson making it amply clear that diplomat had immunity under Vienna convention and the way to end the diplomatic impasse was to withdraw the diplomat under scanner.

Ashoor is learnt to have left by Gulf Air Flight to Bahrain on Wednesday night. The diplomat's departure was face saver for both Delhi and Riyadh whose security and economic partnership is growing. This also came as a relief before PM Modi's proposed visit to Saudi Arabia in November. This Gulf country houses three million Indians besides being top oil supplier for India

ET had first reported (on Tuesday) that the MEA and Saudi Embassy was quietly working on a compromise formula under which Saudi Arabia will withdraw the diplomat voluntarily soon. The two sides were working discreetly to end the diplomatic imbroglio.

The Saudi Embassy initially was resisting idea to withdraw diplomat and the negotiations between the two sides were not easy.