ASF refuse to cooperate with police in Saudi attache altercation case
ASF refuses to accept letter requesting custody of official, footage, cites ensuing internal inquiry as reason.
RAWALPINDI:
Airport Security Forces (ASF) has reportedly refused to cooperate with the police officials investigating last week's altercation between a Saudi Embassy official and security personnel at the Islamabad airport, Express News reported.
Investigation officers had sought video footage from CCTV of the incident. But ASF refused to comply with the request of providing the footage of the altercation which took place at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport, or present the official involved for questioning, citing an ongoing internal investigation as reason.
Earlier on May 31, ASF personnel at the airport had allegedly entered into an altercation with the military attaché of the Saudi embassy, after he refused to cooperate during security checks and abused Pakistan and had allegedly called Pakistani officials his “servants”.
Airport Police, on Monday, refused to receive a letter requesting the footage and custody of the involved official, saying that Director General-ASF was investigating the matter and until the inquiry was completed, no record will be handed over.
ASF rules clearly mention that only heads of diplomatic missions and counsel generals are exempted from a body search owing to diplomatic immunity guaranteed under the Vienna accords. The DG- ASF said that officials have the right to take action if rules are not followed, however, he also noted that officers on duty should have informed higher authorities when the scuffle broke out.
Airport Security Forces (ASF) has reportedly refused to cooperate with the police officials investigating last week's altercation between a Saudi Embassy official and security personnel at the Islamabad airport, Express News reported.
Investigation officers had sought video footage from CCTV of the incident. But ASF refused to comply with the request of providing the footage of the altercation which took place at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport, or present the official involved for questioning, citing an ongoing internal investigation as reason.
Earlier on May 31, ASF personnel at the airport had allegedly entered into an altercation with the military attaché of the Saudi embassy, after he refused to cooperate during security checks and abused Pakistan and had allegedly called Pakistani officials his “servants”.
Airport Police, on Monday, refused to receive a letter requesting the footage and custody of the involved official, saying that Director General-ASF was investigating the matter and until the inquiry was completed, no record will be handed over.
ASF rules clearly mention that only heads of diplomatic missions and counsel generals are exempted from a body search owing to diplomatic immunity guaranteed under the Vienna accords. The DG- ASF said that officials have the right to take action if rules are not followed, however, he also noted that officers on duty should have informed higher authorities when the scuffle broke out.