Indian UN staffer charged with sexual abuse

New York, June 15 (IANS) An Indian working at the United Nations has been charged with sexual abuse eight months after a complaint filed by a female UN contractor, according to media reports.

Dushyant Joshi, head of the UN's Emergency Preparedness unit, was arrested Tuesday for a complaint filed in October 2011 of sex abuse in the Keats bar near the UN headquarters, Inner City Press website that covers New York reported.

New York Police Department (NYPD) spokesman John Grimpel has confirmed that a UN staffer was arrested, the website said. His arraignment has not yet been scheduled, the Manhattan court clerk's office said.

Joshi faces charges of third-degree sexual abuse, the NYPD said. The charge carries a prison term of three months.

The woman had filed the complaint against Joshi through the UN internal justice system as well as with the police in which she said the UN staffer had forcefully kissed and touched her June 3, 2011.

A UN spokesman said he could only speak about the investigation done by the UN, not about actions taken by New York police.

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