Foreign woman’s gang rape: Police detain three alleged facilitators

LAHORE: The alleged gang rape of a foreign woman in Lahore’s Defence area has taken a fresh turn, with police detaining three more people on suspicion of facilitating the incident.

The victim, identified as Diana, is a 20-year-old Azerbaijani national who reportedly arrived in Lahore around 15 days before the alleged incident. Police registered a case following her complaint and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.

According to police sources, the three people detained on suspicion of facilitating the incident are relatives of alleged suspects identified as Tanveer and Mohsin. They were reportedly taken into custody from Bahria Town and Defence.

Investigators are also looking into claims that the alleged suspects used two female acquaintances to lure the foreign woman. According to sources, she was taken to a café and later allegedly brought to a location in Defence, where three men reportedly assaulted her.

Sources said the suspects allegedly used a white Sonata to take the woman to the location. The vehicle is reportedly owned by alleged suspect Tanveer and has been taken into police custody.

Police have also obtained images allegedly showing the suspects standing outside a market in the Defense area. Investigators are examining the images and other evidence to establish the movements of those involved.

The victim’s travel history has also emerged during the investigation, according to police sources. They said Diana had visited Pakistan twice before her latest trip.

Sources said she first travelled from Tashkent to Lahore on March 4 and stayed with a woman identified as Rida Hameed. She left Pakistan on March 20 and reportedly returned on May 22, travelling from Baku and staying with a man identified as Rashid Ali.

According to the same sources, Diana arrived in Lahore for the third time around 15 days before the alleged incident.

Police have so far detained three people in connection with the suspected facilitation of the alleged crime, while efforts are continuing to trace the main suspects and determine the full sequence of events.