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Man used wife’s diplomatic immunity to dodge domestic violence charge

A British diplomat made a desperate phone call on Saturday morning, telling police that she had been beaten in the face by her husband — but cops had to let the hubby go because her own diplomatic immunity also extended to him, police sources told The Post.

In a case that puts a new — and for cops, infuriating — spin on the problem of immunity for diplomats, the 46-year-old woman called for help at 9:30 a.m. from the couple’s Turtle Bay apartment.

The woman, whose name is being withheld by The Post, said her husband, Youssef Amrouche, 37, assaulted her during a domestic dispute, the sources said.

Police sped to the home, which is on East 47th Street near Second Avenue.

But Amrouche had no interest in speaking with cops, and allegedly slammed his apartment door shut on one officer’s hand, causing an injury, sources told The Post.

Police arrested Amrouche, but couldn’t hold him for long — because as a spouse of a diplomat, he too has immunity, the sources noted.

The victim, who works for the UK ambassador to the United Nations, had redness and swelling to her face, but declined medical attention, sources said.

“They arrested him, but they had to let him go,” a police source said.

Added another source, “We’ve seen [male diplomats] protected when they abuse their wives, but this is a new one.

“It’s ridiculous,” the source added.

“It’s not right. They shouldn’t be able to come to this country and break the law.”

Amrouche’s alleged above-the-law treatment is the latest immunity scandal involving Manhattan’s many resident diplomats.

In Oct. 2017, a mid-level Sudanese attache, Hassan Salih, allegedly groped a young woman at an East Village bar; police had to let him go.

In July, 2017, Afghan diplomat Mohammad Yama Aini was protected after he allegedly bashed his wife so badly she was hospitalized.

In January, 2017, Sudanese diplo Abdalla Ali was busted for allegedly grinding his crotch on a woman on a 4 train.

And in October, 2016, German diplo Joachim Haubrichs got sprung after allegedly punching his wife in the face.

It’s outrageous, said domestic violence activist Kirsten Paruginog of Break the Silence.

“When you’re living in the United States — whether you’re an immigrant or a tourist or a diplomat — our country should protect you,” she said.

Additional reporting by Laura Italiano