Key suspect arrested in Islamabad hiking trail rape probe: police

— Police claim victim not cooperating with investigation

ISLAMABAD: The police have arrested a man suspected of raping a woman at gunpoint on a popular hiking trail in Islamabad, it announced on Sunday, three days after the incident sparked outrage and concern on social media.

According to an initial police report, the suspect, identified as Nauman, enticed the complainant by claiming to be an accountant in the education department with “available positions.”

He demanded a payment of Rs50,000 for securing the job. The woman traveled to Rawalpindi on July 12, met Nauman, handed over her resume, and paid an advance of Rs30,000 for the post.

However, instead of introducing her to an official as promised, the man took her to Trail 3, a famous and steep hiking track, where he allegedly raped her at gunpoint.

“The complainant’s medical report did not show any evidence of sexual assault,” the police said in a Twitter post. “[Instead] there was a friendship between the complainant and the accused.”

The incident led to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) at the Kohsar police station under Section 376 (punishment for rape) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The police maintained they were investigating the case “on merit.”

The police, after three days of manhunt, announced Sunday they have successfully apprehended the suspect. The arrest was made late last night on a “technical bases” after an extensive search operation.

However, the police statement claimed the victim was not cooperating with the investigation.

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