Former French diplomat Pascal Mazurier acquitted in 2012 rape case

A Bengaluru court on Wednesday acquitted former French diplomat Pascal Mazurier in a rape case. Mazurier who was the deputy head of chancery at the French consulate was accused by his wife of raping their three-year-old daughter in 2012. Mazurier who put up a long legal battle said, that his wife was a 'criminal' for 'framing' him.

"I am very happy with the verdict. I am a loving father. I am looking forward to seeing my children back in France. It has been a long battle," Mazurier said after a sessions court acquitted him. His wife and complaint in the case, Suja Jones, however, said that she would appeal to the high court. "His acquittal means that my daughter was denied justice. We will appeal in the higher court," Jones said. Mazurier added that he spoke to his daughter 2 years ago and it was a crime to keep a father from his children.

A sessions court on Wednesday held that there was not enough evidence to prove charges against Mazurier and acquitted him. The case had shot to limelight since it involved a foreign diplomat creating a diplomatic standoff. The Vienna convention states that a diplomat cannot be arrested or detained. Mazurier, however, was arrested by the high grounds police on June 19, 2012, following a complaint by his wife.

Suja had written to the French ambassador that she suspected her husband of assaulting their daughter since 2010. After procuring a medical report confirming sexual assault on her daughter, Jones filed a police complaint. His arrest came after the Ministry of Home Affairs clarified that he did not enjoy any diplomatic immunity.

OneIndia News