LAHORE: A Lahore court on Friday granted police a five-day physical remand of four men accused of kidnapping, extorting and raping two foreign women after allegedly luring them to Pakistan under the pretext of a cryptocurrency investment partnership.
Cantonment Courts Judicial Magistrate Azhar Mahmood approved the five-day remand, rejecting the police request for 14 days of custody.
The suspects — Muhammad Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Sajid Ali and Sikander Khan — were produced before the court under tight security. During the hearing, the judge directed them to remove their face masks for formal identification.
According to investigators, Stephanie Adriana Mau-Asam from the Netherlands and Astrid Robinson Bracho from Venezuela were persuaded to travel to Pakistan after being promised substantial profits through a cryptocurrency business venture.
Police said the suspects allegedly enticed the women with assurances of future financial opportunities. The victims arrived in Lahore on June 29 and were due to leave on July 5.
Before their scheduled departure, the prime suspect, Muhammad Raza Dar, allegedly took the women to a house in Lahore’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA), where they were held captive and forced to pay $1.5 million.
Although the suspects described the demand as a claim for cryptocurrency profits, police registered the case under kidnapping for ransom and other serious offences.
The case came to light after the father of the Dutch victim received a distress call from his daughter and contacted Pakistan’s police emergency helpline from abroad.
Earlier, Lahore Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Faisal Kamran said the women were rescued during a police operation after investigators traced their location using the Safe City Authority’s digital surveillance system.
According to the first information report (FIR) registered at Defence-C Police Station, the women first met Muhammad Raza Dar in Singapore in October 2025, where he later facilitated their travel arrangements to Pakistan.
The FIR states that Astrid Robinson Bracho alleged she was repeatedly raped by one suspect and sexually assaulted by two others while being threatened at knifepoint and with a firearm.
Stephanie Adriana Mau-Asam alleged she resisted an attempted rape but was forced to perform oral sex. She further claimed she was stripped naked and threatened with pieces of broken glass.
Both women told investigators their captors threatened to kill them and harvest their organs if the $1.5 million demand was not met.
Police sources said the prime suspect is a close relative of a prominent political figure.
DIG Faisal Kamran had earlier stated that the investigation was proceeding strictly on merit without any political influence, following directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
The victims have undergone forensic medical examinations and recorded their statements before a judicial magistrate under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Police said raids were continuing to arrest a fifth suspect who remains at large.
The two foreign women departed Pakistan on Friday after completing medical examinations.
Police said the medical reports had been received but would remain confidential because the investigation was ongoing.
“The investigation is continuing and the final determination will be made by the court on the basis of the evidence,” a police spokesperson said.
Deputy Inspector General (Investigation) Syed Zeeshan Raza said police had provided the victims with full legal assistance and reaffirmed that the protection of foreign nationals remained a state responsibility.
“The law will take its course, and all those found responsible will face legal action,” he said.
Separately, police registered a criminal case against Defence-C Police Station House Officer Faryad Ashraf and another police official over the alleged mishandling of the case.
The case was registered on the complaint of the caretaker of the Judicial Rest House in Dharampura. Police did not immediately disclose further details regarding the allegations against the two officers.
