An Azerbaijani visitor who once stood before a judicial magistrate to detail an alleged gang-rape in a rented Lahore apartment has now released a social media video absolving one of the suspects of any involvement. According to Geo News, the woman, identified as Diana, claimed in her latest statement that suspect Ahmed Tanveer neither raped her nor took her mobile phone, while also stating that she had forgiven the other two men mentioned in the initial proceedings.
The Key Facts
According to Geo News, Diana travelled to Pakistan for business purposes in late September and initially alleged that three men sexually assaulted her after making her consume alcohol at a flat in Lahore's Defence area. In her recent video, she claimed her earlier statement was given under pressure and alleged she was forcibly sent out of Pakistan.
Geo News reported that Deputy Inspector General of Investigation Zeeshan Raza stated the woman's statement had already been recorded before a court under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and alleged the new video was an attempt to influence the ongoing investigation. The police official added that the two arrested suspects had acknowledged the involvement of Ahmed Tanveer, and police intend to complete the probe on merit.
Geo News further reported that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated on X that the suspects' wealthy family had offered the woman between Rs15 million and Rs20 million to withdraw her allegations. CM Maryam also referred to claims that a judge who granted bail to an accused had allegedly been bribed, stating that such allegations, if proven, would raise serious questions about the integrity of the justice system. Additionally, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari stated on Geo News that the provincial government would pursue the case on the state's behalf.
Background
According to the source material, the case began when the victim recorded her account before a judicial magistrate at the time of the case registration, alleging sexual assault by three men in Lahore's Defence area following a business trip in late September. Court proceedings and police investigations followed, leading to the arrest of suspects, subsequent bail matters, and the recent circulation of the victim's social media video statement addressing the court and embassy documents.
Why it matters
This case highlights official concerns regarding the vulnerability of sexual assault survivors to financial pressure and the potential misuse of influence in the judicial process. Statements from provincial leadership emphasize questions surrounding the integrity of the justice system and the state's role in pursuing criminal matters when key complainants alter their stances.