Thai Police to question WHO officer over maid abuse

BANGKOK, April 5 (TNA) -- Police have invited a senior officer of the United Nations World Health Organisation (WHO) for questioning over allegations of maid abuse against him. Police Colonel Mana Tienmuangpak, an investigative officer at Pak Kret police station, said Sunday that police have invited WHO representative to Thailand Yonas Tegegn, an Ethiopian national, for investigation on Monday over allegations that he mistreated his ex-housemaid while she was working for his family in Thailand. 25-year-old Ethiopian, Annet, last month filed a complaint with the police station that her former employer had treated her like a slave. Police Colonel Mana said police are also awaiting a hospital report to confirm whether Annet was actually tortured by her ex-employer. He said police have also asked the Foreign Affairs Ministry whether Tegegn would enjoy diplomatic immunity in this case and they expect to receive a reply this week. He said Police may have to ask Tegegn to provide additional information after receiving the reply from the ministry. Meanwhile, Lawyers Council of Thailand’s human rights advocate Surapong Kongchantuk said Tegegn have privately denied the accusations on his emails to the media but he has not held any press briefing to clarify the issue. Surapong said the housemaid is now under care of a women foundation. (TNA)