Three suspects in foreign women's abduction and rape case sent to judicial custody

In Lahore, Pakistan, three suspects have been placed on a 14-day judicial remand in connection with the alleged kidnapping and rape of two foreign women. The suspects were presented to a judicial magistrate after their physical remand expired, and the court approved their transfer to judicial custody, ordering the police to submit an investigation report at the next hearing. This development follows a previous court order that granted police a five-day physical remand for one suspect identified as "Boss." Separately, a Lahore High Court judge dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by the mother of this suspect, as the court was informed her son was already on physical remand. Last week, four other suspects, including a relative of a prominent political figure, were moved to jail on judicial remand. The case, registered earlier this month, was initiated after the father of one of the victims, from Spain, contacted Police Emergency Helpline 15 to report the incident. The victims are identified as a national of the Netherlands and another from Venezuela. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the women were abducted by five individuals, demanding $1.5 million in ransom and subjecting them to sexual assault. The charges include serious offenses under the Pakistan Penal Code, specifically rape and kidnapping for extortion. The Dutch victim's statement details their arrival in Pakistan on June 26, 2026, at the invitation of a business partner they met in Singapore in October 2025. The primary suspect allegedly facilitated their visas under the pretense of arranging meetings with investors. After initial days in Islamabad, they traveled to Lahore on June 29. The suspect reportedly lured them to a house for a birthday celebration, but upon arrival, armed men stormed the premises. The victims were tied, assaulted, and threatened with death and organ trafficking if ransom demands were not met. The primary suspect allegedly collaborated with the armed group, and during their captivity, cryptocurrency totaling $17,000 was electronically transferred from one victim's accounts. The victim managed to send a distress code word, "CARLITOS," to her family, alerting international and local law enforcement. On June 30, one victim reported being sexually assaulted. On July 1, while being driven by the key suspect, the women realized they were not being taken to the airport as claimed. They escaped from the moving vehicle during a minor collision and sought refuge in a mechanic's shop, where a traffic police officer assisted them. Despite initial panic, senior police officials and a female officer calmed the victims, providing evidence of ongoing tracking, and escorted them to the police station to provide official statements.