Police have detained three people in connection with the alleged rape of an Azerbaijani woman in Lahore’s Defence area, as investigators continue to trace the circumstances surrounding the incident and the movements of the main suspects.
According to police, the three detainees are suspected of facilitating the alleged perpetrators and are being questioned as part of the investigation. The case names three main suspects as Ahmed Tanveer, Ali and Mohsin.
Woman allegedly drugged before assault
Police said the foreign woman was allegedly taken to a cafe by two unidentified women after arriving in Lahore. The two women reportedly had three male acquaintances at the cafe.
According to investigators, the woman was allegedly given a substance containing drugs before she was sexually assaulted. The suspects later allegedly abandoned her near the airport and fled, police said.
The incident reportedly took place during the night between Friday and Saturday.
Police said the vehicle allegedly used to abduct the woman has also been recovered from the residence of a relative of the main suspect. The relative has reportedly fled, according to investigators.
Police trace woman’s travel history
Investigators have also disclosed details of the woman’s previous visits to Pakistan.
Police said she first arrived in Lahore from Tashkent on March 4 on a foreign airline and stayed with Rida Hameed. She later left Pakistan for Baku, Azerbaijan, on March 20.
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According to police, she returned to Pakistan for a second time on May 22, travelling from Baku, and stayed with Rashid Ali.
The woman arrived in Lahore for a third time around 15 days ago, police said. Investigators stated that she had travelled to Pakistan in connection with a clothing business and regularly travelled between Lahore and Faisalabad for work.
Suspects placed on stop list
Police said the names of the suspects have been placed on the stop list as efforts continue to locate them.
The woman has undergone a medical examination, while police said her statement has not yet been recorded because she is currently unable to provide one. Investigators said her statement will be taken once she regains consciousness and is in a condition to speak.
Police also said the woman can understand and speak Urdu.
The investigation remains ongoing, with police continuing efforts to locate the main suspects and determine the exact circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.
