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Portugal asks Iraq to decide on ambassadors' sons diplomatic immunity until end of next week

Xinhua, October 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

Portugal has called on Iraq to respond until the end of next week to a request to lift diplomatic immunity from the Iraqi ambassador's sons over an assault which took place in August, the Portuguese Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Portugal is still investigating the case of the twin sons of Iraq's ambassador to Portugal, who were accused of assaulting a teenager and leaving him in coma on August 17.

The 17-year-old twins, Haider and Ridha Ali, allegedly attacked 15-year old Ruben Cavaco in the town of Ponte de Sor, around 180 km north of Lisbon.

They were freed after the authorities discovered they were sons of Iraqi ambassador Saad Mohammed Ridha, and have diplomatic immunity from prosecution.

Portugal received a delegation from Iraq from October 10 to 11, according to a statement from the ministry of foreign affairs sent to media on Friday.

The incident was discussed during this trip among other issues relating to bilateral relations.

The ministry of foreign affairs added that Portugal had asked Iraq to lift the diplomatic immunity of the Iraqi ambassador's sons following an inquiry into the incident.

The Iraq authorities during their visit received all information relevant to the legal framework of the case and is expected to make a formal decision by the end of next week, the statement concluded. Endit