Russians and Ghanaian diplomats top league table for traffic offences

DutchNews, August 22, 2016

Russian and Ghanaian envoys are responsible for around two-thirds of traffic offences committed under the cover of diplomatic immunity, according to figures disclosed by Dutch police. 

Police logged a total of 35 offences by foreign officials in and around The Hague between 2012 and the start of 2016. Diplomats are protected from arrest or prosecution under the terms of the Treaty of Vienna. Fines can be issued against them but not enforced. 

Russian and Ghanaian representatives each breached the law 12 times. The offences were serious enough for police to become involved, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or failing to stop after an accident. 

Another 11 non-traffic-related offences involving diplomats were recorded, but exact details were not disclosed in the figures obtained by the ANP press agency. 

Officials at around 100 embassies, 80 consulates and 35 international organisations in the Netherlands and their families enjoy some form of diplomatic immunity. The vast majority are based in The Hague.

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