A South Sudanese diplomat to the United Nations has been released by New York police after being arrested on suspicion of raping a neighbour, owing to his diplomatic immunity. Charles Oliha, 46, was taken into custody but freed once his status was verified.
The woman alleged that Oliha forced his way into her apartment on the evening of Sunday, 12 March, and raped her twice. She later reported the attack at a friend's urging and underwent a medical examination at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Washington Heights.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed the release, with Deputy Commissioner Julian Phillips calling it a “state department matter”. Mayor Eric Adams said an investigation was under way, adding that “sexual assault of any kind should never be tolerated”.
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric expressed concern, stating: “Any case of alleged sexual assault needs to be fully investigated.” He noted that Oliha is a member of South Sudan’s permanent mission, not a UN staff member, making it a bilateral issue between South Sudan and the United States.
Advocates have condemned the release. Jane Manning, director of the Women’s Equal Justice Project, called it “incredibly disturbing” that an accused rapist cannot be held accountable. Liz Roberts, CEO of Safe Horizon, said: “The fact that diplomatic immunity takes precedence over justice for the survivor is incomprehensible.”
Diplomatic immunity has previously shielded alleged offenders, such as Hassan Salih, who was released in 2017 after groping a woman in a bar. City officials said the US State Department could revoke Oliha’s status.
