Azerbaijani woman leaves Pakistan under police escort

A 20-year-old Azerbaijani woman at the center of an alleged gang-rape case in Lahore left Pakistan for Baku on Sunday under police escort, a day after she refused to board a flight, saying she was being sent home against her will.

Why did Diana initially refuse to leave Pakistan?

Diana said she was being sent back against her will and wanted to stay in Pakistan to pursue her case. She completed boarding at Lahore airport on Oct. 3, then got off the plane. She later agreed to leave on Sunday under police escort.

In a video posted on social media, she made the allegation that she was being sent back against her will and said she wanted to remain in Pakistan to pursue her case.

Who escorted the Azerbaijani woman out of Pakistan?

Diana departed on Pakistan International Airlines flight PK-159, accompanied by three Lahore police officers. The Azerbaijani Embassy had requested that police accompany her, according to officials.

The team included female Assistant Superintendent of Police Barira, Deputy Superintendent of Police Qamar Abbas and Gender Cell In-Charge Fariyal. The officers are expected to remain with Diana until she reaches Azerbaijan.

What is the status of the investigation?

DIG Investigation Lahore Syed Zeeshan Raza took immediate notice of the case and formed special investigation teams under SP Investigation Cantt Division Asim Iftikhar. The case is being investigated jointly by the Crime Control Department, the operations wing and the investigation wing.

Police recovered the vehicle allegedly used in the assault on Sept. 27 and detained three people for questioning. Two main suspects have since been arrested and are being interrogated, while another suspect remains at large. Raza said the absconding suspect would be arrested soon and that anyone found guilty would be punished according to the law.

Diana has now left Pakistan, while two suspects are in custody. The investigation is continuing.

Is this the second case involving foreign women in Lahore?

The case is the second reported incident within four months in which a foreign national was allegedly gang-raped in the jurisdiction of Defence C police station in Lahore. The earlier case involved two foreign women in DHA Lahore in late June.

Police arrested eight suspects in that case, including Raza Dar, a relative of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The case is before the courts and no verdict has been issued.