Russian Rape Victim Says She Was Offered Money to Withdraw Case

In a twist to Russian girl’s rape case, the victims has claimed that friends of the Goa-based politician John Fernandes, the accused, offered money to withdraw the case.

The girl’s counsel said that she received a call yesterday evening and was offered Rs 15 lakh.

In a verbal complaint to the Crime Branch, the 25-year-old Russian girl claimed that a friend of Fernandes, who was declared ‘absconding’ by a court in Margao, contacted her to withdraw the charges.

The victim, who had accused John of raping her on December 1 mid night after spiking her drink, claimed that the called also threatened her with dire consequences if the pursues the case further.

Reports said that Crime Branch officials have not commented on the complaint. Russian Consulate’s representative in Goa Vikram Varma was quoted as saying by PTI that the accused’s associates have made attempts to ‘bribe’ the victim with huge sum of money to withdraw the case.
“From the conduct of the associates of the accused, it is clear that such people consider themselves above the law. Despite 18 days having passed and formal arrest warrant issues, the accused is still absconding. He has ample opportunity and freedom to manipulate the evidence and intimidate as well as influence the witnesses,” he said.

“Such a conduct is deplorable and can influence the credibility of our criminal justice system,” Varma said.