Police have launched a probe into allegations by a female official at the Foreign Ministry that she was sexually harassed by her director-level senior during a recent trip to Africa, officials said Wednesday.
The victim claimed that she woke up in her single guesthouse room on feeling the accused touching her body and removing her clothes. The two had drinks together previously in the evening with others.
She filed a complaint at an internal human resources team and reported the incident to the police upon her return from the trip. She also submitted a strand of hair found on her bed as evidence. The ministry placed the suspected perpetrator on suspension shortly after.
“The decision was made in line with her request to stay away from him,” a ministry official said on condition of anonymity.
“We take the case seriously. We will take stern action after a fair, thorough investigation and according to our zero-tolerance policy, while formulating comprehensive, systematic measures to prevent a future relapse in consultation with experts and other relevant agencies.”
