NEPAL DEPORTS PAKISTAN EMBASSY STAFF CAUGHT WITH

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000354

SIPDIS

LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL
BANGKOK FOR SECRET SERVICE
SECRET SERVICE HQ PASS TO HONOLULU OFFICE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINR KCRM ASEC NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL DEPORTS PAKISTAN EMBASSY STAFF CAUGHT WITH
COUNTERFEIT U.S. CURRENCY.

REF: KATHMANDU 24

Nepal Foreign Ministry and Police officials confirmed to
the Embassy that Siraj Ahmed Siraj, the Pakistan Embassy
employee arrested in Kathmandu January 3 with over USD
9000 in counterfeit U.S. currency (Reftel), was deported
to his home country February 8. A police investigation
concluded that Siraj, whose position as support staff at
the Embassy did not afford him diplomatic immunity, had
conducted illegal money transactions. The Foreign
Ministry spokesperson told us that Nepal has asked
Pakistan to take necessary legal action against Siraj and
to report back to Kathmandu.

MALINOWSKI