Story highlights Bangladesh says it has reason to believe arrest violates consular relations accord

Diplomat accused of threatening to kill servant's family members if he attempted to escape

(CNN) A high-ranking Bangladeshi diplomat based in New York accused of forcing his servant to work for up to 18 hours a day without pay was charged Monday with labor trafficking and assault.

In a case described by the district attorney as "very disturbing," Mohammed Shaheldul Islam, 45, a deputy consul general of Bangladesh, is alleged to have used a combination of physical violence and "vile" threats to control the victim, Mohammed Amin, for a period of several years.

Islam, who has limited diplomatic immunity, was ordered to surrender his passport by the district supreme court justice, according to a statement by Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. Bail was set at $50,000 bond or $25,000 cash. He could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Abida Islam, the director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Americas Wing in Dhaka, said in a text message, "We have summoned the US (ambassador) to the Ministry this afternoon and lodged strong protest on the arrest of our (deputy consul general) New York."

Asked what step the Bangladeshi government would take next, she replied, "Since a legal proceeding has been initiated we will follow the law of the land."

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