What happens if you fight someone with diplomatic immunity?

Lets say that some guy does something bad to you, like scratch up your car or steal something. Obviously with diplomatic immunity he cant be detained or prosecuted. What if you get in a physical fight with them? Do you only go to jail? What if they seriously injury you, do they get away with it? Do you get charged with someone worse because you hurt a diplomat even if it was in self defense or something.

Basically, I just want to know will his immunity let him do what ever he wants with you having your hands tied.

None of this is real, just curious to see if its really like the movies where they actually get away with murder or something or is it really not that big of a thing.

gene92684

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomatic_immunity

astcell

I was stationed overseas with a diplomatic passport. Now let's say I started a bar fight and then drive away drunk. The local police could not throw me in jail, BUT.... the next morning I would be standing in front of the ambassador to explain myself. I'd likely be fired and sent home.

A dip passport does not mean you are above the law.

Say_What?

Immunity means just what it says. The local government can't touch the guy without permission of the foreign government. It has occurred on occasion that the foreign government has waived the immunity (e.g. if the person committed a murder). However, in general they wouldn't do it for something like a bar fight.

As another poster mentioned though that person almost certainly would face disciplinary action or even legal action of his own government. Many governments do restrict what their people are allowed to do. One thing the national government of your country CAN and often will do is list him as "persona non grata" and expel him from their country.

On the flip side is what happens if you actually are seen as having initiated the fight. You may be violating not only a local law but a national one specifically designed to protect foreign diplomatic personnel who are seen as "guests" of the government.

Raj

The diplomatic immunity entitles the passport holder from getting prosecuted in a foreign country, however if the assault is on a citizen of the country a case will be registered against the defendant.

Th police does not have the authority to detain a diplomatic passport holder, however the embassy will have to answer a lot of unpleasant questions with the local government. This will pretty much result in the person losing the job or worst getting transferred to a hostile country.

Diplomatic passport holders (sensible ones) usually refrain from bar fights and other misdemeanor as it costs them much more than it costs us. Keep in mind 1/5th of all diplomatic passport holders are foreign spies.

Hope this clarified your question with the best of my ability.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: