A 50-year-old imam from Chittagong, Bangladesh, has been arrested for repeatedly raping a 14-year-old female madrasa student after holding her captive for two days, according to a report in the Dhaka Tribune.
Abul Bashar, the imam of a local mosque in Terchar, Chandina, confessed to his crime during initial interrogation. He was picked up by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from Sadar Dakshin late Monday night.
According to Bangladeshi media reports, RAB commander Major Md. Shakib Hossain told the media that Bashar had held the minor captive on July 22 and 23. On July 24, the girl fell ill due to repeated attacks.
Bashar then fled, leaving the girl with his brother. He has been absconding since then. Later, the police launched a raid after the minor's father filed a complaint against Bashar. Bashar was entrusted by his family to teach the girl Arabic.
During initial interrogation, Bashar confessed to deceiving the girl and keeping her in his house. He also confessed to raping her.
Sexual assault cases are increasing in Bangladesh
The report said that despite the government introducing the death penalty for rape in November last year, incidents of sexual violence against women are increasing.
A total of 26,695 rape cases have been filed in Bangladesh in the last five years, a recently released police headquarters report revealed.
Data released by an activist group shows that at least 1,018 children were raped in the past year alone, but only 683 police cases were filed. Of these, 116 were rape victims aged six or younger.
As of date, a total of 1,627 rape cases had occurred last year, out of which 53 women were killed by perpetrators and 14 committed suicide. Data for the first half of this year revealed that there were 532 rapes and 139 gang rapes in Bangladesh.
The activist group believes the number could be much higher because most women are afraid to file complaints.
