HONG KONG (Sapa-AFP) - The wife of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has been granted diplomatic immunity from prosecution over her alleged assault of a British journalist in Hong Kong, authorities said Sunday.
The Department of Justice said Grace Mugabe, 43, was not liable to arrest and enjoyed immunity from criminal prosecutions under Chinese law.
Hong Kong's legal system is separate from China, but it has to apply the country's laws in cases involving foreign relations or defence.
Jones has said a "completely deranged" Mugabe struck him in the face repeatedly as her bodyguard grabbed him when he was trying to snap photos of her leaving the five-star Kowloon Shangri-la Hotel in January.
The photographer later reported the incident to the police and said he sustained numerous bruises and cuts to his face from the assault, thanks to the diamond-encrusted ring the first lady was wearing.
Jones said Sunday that the government's decision was a disgrace and he felt angry that he only learned about the result of the police investigation from the media.