Second Suspect Arrested in Two-Decade-Old Rotterdam Gang Rape
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands – A second suspect has been arrested in connection witha brutal gang rape that occurred in Rotterdam two decades ago. The 37-year-old man, identified as a resident of the Crooswijk neighborhood, was apprehended on Wednesday afternoon. This arrest follows the detention of a 39-year-old Rotterdam resident on Monday, marking a significant development in thelong-dormant case.
The horrific incident took place on January 12, 2004. A 30-year-old woman and her friend disembarked from the metro at Voorschtoerlaan station. As they walked along Lusthofstraat, the friend became embroiled in a dispute over money with a group of five or six men. While the friend left the scene, the woman remained to attempt to resolve the situation.
The men, claiming they would retrieve the friend’s money, led the woman to Paulus Potterstraat. There, they surrounded her, and one of them raped her while the others watched. The assailants then took her to Rozenburg Park, where she was subjected to further sexual assault by multiple individuals.
Despite extensive investigations at the time,the police were unable to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. However, recent developments, including the emergence of new information, prompted the authorities to reopen the case.
Even though it’s been 20 years, the investigation team would like to get in touch with people who can remember something about the case thatcould be of value to the investigation, the police stated in a public appeal.
The suspects, described as having short dark hair and a slightly tanned complexion, were estimated to be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of the crime. Some may have been minors.
They are probably now intheir late 30s or somewhere in their 40s. The men may come from the neighborhood and still live in Rotterdam or even specifically in the Kralingen neighborhood, the police added.
The arrests come as a beacon of hope for the victim and her family, who have endured years of uncertainty and pain. Theinvestigation is ongoing, and the authorities are actively seeking any additional information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the remaining suspects.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the enduring impact of sexual violence and the importance of persistent investigations, even after decades have passed. The pursuit of justice, even in seemingly insurmountablecircumstances, remains a fundamental pillar of a just society.
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