LAHORE – A significant breakthrough has occurred in a high-profile case involving the kidnapping, sexual assault, and extortion of two foreign women in Lahore. Police have arrested eight suspects, including a man identified as Raza Dar, who allegedly led the operation.
Details of the Incident
Authorities reported that Dar suffered injuries after jumping from a rooftop while trying to evade capture. The two foreign nationals were reportedly abducted and held for two days, during which they were sexually assaulted and forced to contact their families for ransom via video calls.
Financial Exploitation and Rescue Operation
During their captivity, Raza Dar allegedly transferred $70,000 from one victim’s digital wallet into his own cryptocurrency wallet. The case came to light when one victim’s father, residing in France, alerted French authorities, leading to a coordinated rescue operation by Lahore Police.
Victims’ Testimonies and Aftermath
One victim, Astrid Gabriel, provided a detailed statement under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, recounting the violence and abuse she endured. She described meeting Raza Dar at a cryptocurrency event in Singapore, where he misrepresented himself, leading to a false sense of security. Following their abduction, the women were threatened and held captive until a ransom was arranged.
After a chaotic escape from their captors, the victims finally found safety with a police team that included female officers, which restored their sense of security.
