A foreign woman who is among the complainants in the alleged abduction and sexual assault case in Lahore has recorded her statement before a judicial magistrate under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), alleging that prime suspect Raza Dar received $100,000 before she and her companion were released.
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According to the statement, Astrid Gabriela Robinson Bracho told the magistrate that armed men entered the house where she and another foreign woman, Stephani Adriana, were staying and held them captive.
She alleged that the suspects tied them up, confined them in a room and repeatedly demanded access to a computer and cryptocurrency holdings. Astrid claimed the suspects asked for passwords and insisted on obtaining funds allegedly linked to cryptocurrency assets.
The complainant further alleged that she was assaulted during the ordeal and threatened with death if the money was not handed over. She also accused multiple suspects of sexually assaulting her while another stood guard. These allegations are part of her recorded statement and remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
Astrid told the magistrate that Raza Dar allegedly used her mobile phone to contact people seeking money. According to her statement, Stephani’s mother later informed them that she had arranged a payment of $100,000.
She alleged that Dar later informed the women the money had been received and allowed them to leave, returning their passports before driving them towards the airport. During the journey, she claimed the vehicle was involved in an accident, giving both women an opportunity to escape and seek help from the public. Police later rescued them.
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Earlier, a Lahore court remanded Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan and Sajid Ali into five-day police custody. Investigators say the case may be linked to a cryptocurrency-related financial dispute involving around $1.5 million. Police are continuing their investigation, while the allegations against the accused have yet to be proven in court.