Iranian Athletes' Sexual Assault Case: Controversy Over No Arrest Warrant for One Perpetrator

The police are facing controversy for not applying for an arrest warrant for one of the perpetrators in the case where Iranian national team athletes allegedly gang-raped a Korean woman during the Asian Athletics Championships.

This incident has revealed issues in the investigation process, as it was discovered that the number of perpetrators initially identified by the victim did not match the actual number.

According to a report by JTBC, on the morning of the 31st of last month, a Korean woman identified as A reported to the police that she had been sexually assaulted by three Iranian athletics national team members who were in Korea for the Asian Athletics Championships.

The police dispatched to the scene immediately arrested two Iranian athletes and one coach who were at the accommodation.

They are accused of sexually assaulting A at the lodging.

Additional Perpetrator Identified Through CCTV Analysis and Investigation Issues

However, while analyzing CCTV footage from the day of the incident, the police confirmed that there was one more Iranian athlete present at the scene and arrested this athlete as well. However, the police transferred this athlete to the prosecution without an arrest warrant, and victim A was not informed of this fact.

The prosecution, which took over the case, summoned A and showed her the faces of four individuals, and A identified two of the arrested athletes and one released athlete as perpetrators of the sexual assault.

As a result of the prosecution's supplementary investigation, it was revealed that the previously arrested coach had been acting as a lookout.

While the police arrested the individuals identified by A as perpetrators, it has become controversial that they did not apply for an arrest warrant and released one of them.

Legal Representation Claims on the Victim's Side

The victim's attorney stated, "The prosecutor said, 'It seems that there are actually four perpetrators,' and only then did the victim realize that there were four, not three." They asserted, "All four should have been arrested, which would have been the proper course of action."

In response, the Gumi police department in Gyeongsangbuk-do explained, "Considering the victim's initial statement claiming she was assaulted by three individuals and various circumstances, we arrested the three initially apprehended and transferred the additional suspect without detention.” However, this police response has received criticism for being insufficient in thoroughly investigating the sexual crime and protecting the victim.

Image Source: Material photo for understanding the article / gettyimagesbank