The China Post
Date: August 26, 2016
By: Joseph Yeh

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Thursday called for the return of a senior Turkish envoy who left Taiwan amid allegations of sexual harassment and obstruction of official duties.

MOFA said Thursday that the Turkish Trade Office in Taipei (TTOT) had informed Taiwan authorities that its deputy representative Halil Ibrahim Dokuyucu had filed for regular leave and returned to Turkey.

Dokuyucu had scuffled with Taipei police on July 3 after they arrested him for allegedly fondling a woman in a bar. He could face charges in Taiwan for sexual harassment and for obstructing official duties of police.

MOFA spokeswoman Eleanor Wang said that the Foreign Ministry had demanded that the Turkish representative office ask its deputy to return to Taiwan as soon as possible to face possible legal proceedings.

Wang’s statement came after local media reported that the diplomat had already left Taiwan, even though MOFA announced he did not enjoy diplomatic immunity in Taiwan and may have to face legal proceedings.

Upon learning that Taipei police arrested the diplomat in a bar on July 3, TTOT had insisted that its deputy should be immune from lawsuits and other legal proceedings in Taiwan.     [FULL  STORY]