Azerbaijani woman records statement before Lahore magistrate in alleged gang-rape case

A 20-year-old Azerbaijani woman has recorded her statement before a judicial magistrate in Lahore as police continue investigating an alleged gang-rape case involving three suspects.

A 20-year-old Azerbaijani woman has recorded her statement before a judicial magistrate in Lahore as police continue investigating an alleged gang-rape case involving three suspects.

The woman appeared before Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Sagheer at the Cantonment Courts on Monday under heightened security. Her statement was recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which allows a magistrate to formally record statements and confessions.

The case was registered at Defence C police station under Section 375A of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating to gang rape. According to the FIR, the woman had travelled to Lahore for business before allegedly being taken to an apartment near Raiwind, where she claimed she was given an intoxicating substance and sexually assaulted by three men.

Police had arrested three suspects a day earlier and seized a vehicle allegedly connected to the incident. According to investigators, the suspects had reportedly left Lahore following the alleged assault.

Lahore DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said the investigation is being conducted jointly by the Crime Control Department, Operations Wing and Investigation Wing.

Police have also approached federal authorities to place the three suspects on the Provisional National Identification List. One suspect has reportedly been traced to Sialkot, while police have detained two relatives and a domestic employee of another suspect as part of their investigation.

The victim was reportedly left near Lahore airport after the alleged incident. The FIR also states that two mobile phones belonging to her were allegedly taken.

Investigators have recovered the vehicle they believe was used in the incident and are examining it as part of the probe. Police teams have also carried out raids to locate the suspects.

The woman underwent a medical examination following the alleged assault. Police said the medical report could provide additional information relevant to the investigation.

The case comes months after another alleged sexual assault involving two foreign women was reported within the jurisdiction of Defence C police station. That earlier case involved women from the Netherlands and Venezuela and resulted in the registration of a separate criminal case.