Five men who allegedly gang raped a Filipina woman in Qatar last month are unlikely to face charges for the assault, an official from the Philippines Embassy has told Doha News. 

That’s because the reported victim did not undergo medical testing immediately after the encounter to prove that she had been sexually assaulted, said the representative, who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to speak officially about the case.

The victim, a 32-year-old Filipina working in Qatar illegally, reported her assault two weeks after it had taken place. 

Her alleged attackers, all Indian nationals, will likely face charges of impersonating police officers, as they claimed to be working for the Criminal Investigation Department to gain entry to the woman’s room.

After asking to see her residency papers, the men took turns raping her, the woman told her embassy.

As the CID itself is pressing charges, the embassy has been unable to find out any more details, the official said. The Ministry of Interior has not commented on the case or the charges brought.

Counseling

The victim will begin rape counseling this week, arranged through the Qatar Foundation For Combating Human Trafficking.

Despite her illegal residency status, she is continuing to work in Qatar and will be allowed to remain here to follow the progress of the case and give evidence at the trial.

Following the reporting of this attack, the Philippines Embassy has issued a warning to all nationals to be on their guard when officials visit their home, recommending that they request ID before they let them in.

Thoughts?

Credit: Photo by Robert Francis

Note: This article has been amended to remove the name of the Philippines Embassy representative, at his request, because he was not authorized to officially speak about the case.