Russian rape case: Mother submits detailed report to consulate

PANAJI - The mother of a nine-year-old Russian girl, who was raped by a tourist in north Goa’s popular Arambol beach, has submitted a detailed report to the Russian consulate in Mumbai about the incident and the follow-up action taken by the police.

The 34-year-old mother, a medical professional working out of Moscow, said Thursday that she had submitted a written statement.

“I have had a long talk with the consul general and informed him about all that happened in detail. I have made my statement in the Russian language to the consulate,” she told IANS.

“When criminals rape a child, they must not be protected but must be arrested. I hope that the Goa police can arrest them,” she added.

District Superintendent (North) Bosco George and police press relations officer Atmaram Deshpande refused to comment on the development.

“Investigations are on,” Deshpande said.

According to police, the complaint filed by the girl’s mother at the Pernem police station Tuesday evening said the incident happened when she was bathing in the sea at Arambol, 45 km from state capital Panaji.

“The girl was bathing in the sea when a person started abusing her. The girl started crying and rushed to her mother, who was on a beach bed. She told her that the man, who we suspect is a tourist named Aman, had inserted his finger inside her,” police inspector Uttam Rautdessai told IANS.

The girl was later sent for medical examination to a government hospital in Panaji, which confirmed penetration.

Following the incident, the Russian embassy threatened to issue a travel advisory against Goa if the police are unable to prevent such crimes against Russian citizens.

“We are shocked and deeply outraged by the reports about the disgusting incident in India’s well-known resort in Goa when a nine-year-old child from Russia became another victim of a rapist,” the Russian embassy said in a statement here.

Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja also took up the case with the Goa chief minister Wednesday and sought a report.

Crimes against foreigners, especially Russians, have seen Goa receive a lot of media flak in recent times.

A 25-year-old Russian woman was raped by a Goan politician in December last year.

Police have also been unable to crack the mysterious death of Russian teenager Elena Sukhonova, whose mangled body was found on the railway tracks near Thivim, 25 km from here.

Nearly 40,000 Russian tourists visit Goa annually.