The probe into the gang rape of two foreign women in Pakistan has taken a new turn after one of the victims claimed that the accused were primarily trying to gain access to cryptocurrency worth millions of dollars rather than seeking a conventional ransom.
According to a News18 report, the allegations surfaced after one of the complainants, Astrid Gabriela Robinson Bracho, recorded her statement before a judicial magistrate under Section 164 of Pakistan’s Criminal Procedure Code.
Among those arrested is Raza Dar, who multiple media reports identified as grandson of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Victim alleges attackers wanted cryptocurrency
According to Astrid’s statement, she and her friend, Stephani Adriana, travelled to Pakistan after being invited for a cryptocurrency-related business venture. The women had allegedly first met Raza Dar in Singapore in October 2025 while working on a crypto project, the report said.
According to the report, she alleged that shortly after arriving in Lahore on June 29, armed men entered the house where they were staying and demanded access to cryptocurrency holdings.
According to her statement, the attackers repeatedly asked for passwords and insisted on being shown a computer believed to contain digital assets.
Astrid alleged that after finding the computer, the accused became increasingly violent and threatened to kill both women if they refused to hand over the cryptocurrency.
“He told me if we gave them the money, we would live. If we didn’t, they would kill us,” she reportedly told the magistrate.
Allegations of sexual assault and ransom demand
Astrid further alleged that two of the accused sexually assaulted her while another stood guard outside the room carrying a rifle. She claimed the men slapped her, mocked her and ordered her not to cry.
According to her statement, Raza Dar later used her mobile phone to contact people known to her in an attempt to arrange money. Although no one initially responded, Stephani’s mother allegedly managed to arrange $100,000.
The complainant alleged that after receiving the money, the accused returned their passports and agreed to drive the women to the airport.
Escape after road accident
According to the report, Astrid claimed that during the journey, she overheard one of the accused speaking on the phone and saying, “The boss’s instructions are different.”
She alleged that the vehicle later met with an accident, giving both women an opportunity to escape. The two reportedly ran from the vehicle, called for help and were assisted after bystanders alerted a traffic police officer.
Court remands accused to police custody
According to the report, a Lahore court has sent four accused—Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan and Sajid Ali—to five days of police custody.
Investigators told the court they are yet to recover the weapons allegedly used in the incident as well as money believed to be linked to the case. Police have been directed to submit a progress report when the accused are produced before the court again on July 8.
According to Pakistani media reports, the two women are believed to have left Pakistan after recording their statements before the magistrate. Judicial sources told ARY News that their statements have been sealed, while investigators have received copies for the ongoing probe.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
Share this with someone who needs to see this.