LAHORE: A 22-year-old Azerbaijani woman has alleged that she was sexually assaulted by three men in Lahore’s Defence area after she was allegedly made to consume alcohol.
The woman recorded her statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before a judicial magistrate on Monday, with details of the statement emerging on Tuesday.
According to police, two suspects have been arrested in connection with the case, while raids are underway to apprehend a third suspect. Police said the two mobile phones belonging to the foreign national have yet to be recovered.
Woman recounts events before magistrate
The Azerbaijani woman told the magistrate that she had travelled from Istanbul to Islamabad on September 13 for business purposes. She then spent five days in Faisalabad before travelling to Lahore, where she planned to continue her journey to Skardu.
According to her statement, she contacted two women, identified as Nimra and Muskan, after finding it difficult to continue travelling alone.
She said she went alone to a cafe at around 11pm, where she met Muskan. She alleged that Muskan later told her that Nimra was waiting for them, and the three subsequently met.
The woman said they had food at around 2am when two men arrived in a vehicle after being invited by Nimra.
She alleged that Nimra received between Rs20,000 and Rs30,000 from a man identified as Mohsin and offered the money to her, but she refused to accept it.
Woman alleges she was prevented from leaving
According to the statement, Mohsin later took her to another room where three men were present.
When she asked about Nimra and Muskan, she was allegedly told that they had left.
The woman said she asked to leave but was told she could not because her friends had taken money. She said she offered to pay Rs30,000 herself but was allegedly told that a larger amount had been taken.
She further alleged that Ali Aziz threatened her and attempted to blackmail her before saying he would call the police.
According to her statement, she told him to contact the police. When no officers arrived for several minutes, she again asked to leave.
Three detained as police investigate alleged rape of foreign woman in Lahore
Woman alleges assault after consuming alcohol
The woman told the magistrate that the three men subsequently offered her alcohol.
She alleged that they told her they would allow her to leave after she drank and then asked her to sleep at the location until the effects wore off.
According to her statement, she was subsequently sexually assaulted by Mohsin, Ahmed and Ali Aziz.
The woman further alleged that she was later taken somewhere in a vehicle.
She said she was carrying Rs200,000 in cash and an iPhone and claimed that the men told her the belongings would only be returned if she did not report the incident to police.
She alleged that she was eventually pushed out of the vehicle and left without her belongings.
The woman then sought assistance from people nearby and contacted police.
Police have arrested two suspects while efforts continue to locate the third suspect. Further investigation into the allegations is underway.
