Chinese nationals held for assaulting women in Islamabad released from jail

ISLAMABAD: A group of Chinese nationals who had reportedly filmed and assaulted women in an Islamabad slum were released from jail after a ‘settlement’.

Footage of the Golra incident went viral two days ago, after which a case was registered at the Golra Police Station and three Chinese nationals were arrested

However, all three arrested Chinese were released after the complainant and the accused reached an out of court settlement.

What does the FIR say?

The case was registered on December 8 at the Golra Police Station on the complaint Muhammad Khan.

According to the FIR, the complainant and his family were living temporarily in self-made shacks near Chor Chowk in Golra, along with other members of their tribe.

The FIR stated that seven Chinese nationals arrived there and began filming the women living in the shacks.

Muhammad Khan said that the incident actually occurred on December 7.

“They were told repeatedly not to film the women of our family and tribe without permission,” he said.

“Despite being warned several times, the Chinese nationals continued filming, which led to an altercation with members of our family and tribe.”

Muhammad Khan alleged that the Chinese nationals not only assaulted the men of his family but also beat their women with sticks.

The viral video circulating on social media also showed local residents and one Chinese nationals hitting each other with sticks.

What do investigators say?

The investigation officer, Assistant Sub-Inspector Sarfaraz Ahmed of Islamabad Police, told the BBC Urdu that he had obtained a two-day physical remand for the arrested Chinese nationals, after which a local court sent them to jail on judicial remand.

However, the complainant said he informed the court that he had reached a settlement with the accused and had withdrawn the case.

The three Chinese nationals were released following the withdrawal.

When asked whether he had sought compensation for the damage caused during the incident — including damage to motorbikes — Muhammad Khan said he had not demanded anything from the accused.

He said he withdrew the case solely because the foreigners were visiting Pakistan as tourists and he did not want them to feel they had been mistreated in the country.

On the other hand, investigation officer Sarfaraz Ahmed said that he was unaware of any settlement between the complainant and the accused.

He said that the investigation had barely begun. However, he noted that it is the complainant’s legal right to withdraw a case at any time, provided the court is informed through an affidavit.