Azeri Woman in Lahore Rape Case Sent Back Home Under Police Escort
The Azerbaijani woman at the centre of Lahore’s alleged gang-rape case is being repatriated under police escort from Allama Iqbal International Airport, even though she had told officials she wanted to remain in Pakistan and pursue the case, The Express Tribune reported on Sunday.
Police are escorting the 22-year-old back to her home country after she completed her legal formalities in Pakistan. The report said she had earlier refused to leave, arguing that she wanted to see the case through to its conclusion and viewed the return as forced.
She arrived in Pakistan in late September on a business trip. Days later she alleged that three men sexually assaulted her at a rented flat in Lahore’s Defence area after making her drink alcohol. Police say her medical examination confirmed rape and that the suspects confessed during interrogation.
Three suspects held in the Azeri woman Lahore case
DIG Investigation Syed Zeeshan Raza announced the arrests at a press conference on Saturday. He said three suspects allegedly subjected the foreign national to sexual assault at a flat in a private housing society and were taken into custody.
A fourth accused, a woman alleged to have facilitated the assault, was sent to jail on judicial remand after completing a three-day physical remand. A judicial magistrate ordered her to be produced again on October 17, with police telling the court they no longer needed her custody for further investigation.
The woman’s testimony has already been recorded before a judicial magistrate. Police said forensic evidence was collected at a government medical facility, and investigators used digital tracking to piece together the sequence of events.
Case raised questions about safety of visitors
The case drew national attention because the complainant is a foreign national who was in Lahore on business. Rights advocates said it raised fresh questions about the safety of visitors and the speed of the justice system in high-profile assault cases.
Police have maintained that the investigation is being expedited under strict supervisory oversight so that a complete challan can be submitted in court. Officials have not said when the suspects will be formally charged.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the Azerbaijani woman in the Lahore case?
She is a 22-year-old Azerbaijani national who arrived in Pakistan in late September on a business trip and later alleged she was sexually assaulted by three men at a rented flat in Lahore’s Defence area.
Why is she being sent back to her country?
Police are repatriating her under escort after her legal formalities, including recording her statement before a judicial magistrate, were completed. The Express Tribune reported that she had wanted to stay and pursue the case herself.
How many suspects have been arrested?
Three men have been arrested over the alleged assault, and a woman accused of facilitating it has been sent to jail on judicial remand until October 17.
