AI image for illustrative purposes
Summary: Azerbaijani national Diana has left Lahore for Baku on a PIA flight accompanied by Pakistani police officials following diplomatic coordination, while a criminal case involving her allegations remains under legal proceedings.
By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: An Azerbaijani woman, identified as Diana, departed Lahore for Baku on Sunday accompanied by a team of Pakistani police officials, following arrangements made in coordination with the Azerbaijani diplomatic mission.
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According to sources, Diana travelled to the Azerbaijani capital on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-159. Three police officials, including an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) from Defence, accompanied her during the departure process and travelled with her to Baku.
A female police officer was also part of the team, sources said.
The police officials remained with Diana at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport and supervised the completion of her boarding formalities. She remained under the watch of the Airport Security Force (ASF) until she boarded the flight.
Sources said the police team was sent to accompany Diana to Azerbaijan following a request from the Azerbaijani embassy. The arrangement was made to ensure her safe departure from Pakistan.
Diana’s departure comes after a series of developments surrounding her stay in Lahore and a criminal case in which she has made serious allegations against several individuals.
The Azerbaijani national had reportedly arrived in Pakistan from Istanbul on Sept. 13. According to a statement recorded before a court on Sept. 29, she initially travelled to Islamabad before spending several days in Faisalabad.
She later came to Lahore and was planning to travel to Skardu. As she was travelling alone, she contacted two acquaintances, identified in her statement as Nimra and Muskan, to meet her in Lahore.
According to the statement, Diana later met Muskan at a cafe. She alleged that after spending time there, they travelled to an apartment where other individuals were present.
Diana told the court that she was subsequently prevented from leaving the apartment. She made allegations of sexual assault against several individuals and claimed that she was threatened during the incident.
She also alleged that her belongings, including cash and mobile phones, were taken from her. According to her statement, she was told not to approach the police.
The woman further alleged that she was later taken away in a vehicle and eventually forced out of it. She sought help from people in the area, who contacted the police emergency helpline.
Police officials reached the location after receiving the call and initiated an investigation into the allegations.
Several suspects were subsequently arrested in connection with the case.
However, the accused have denied the allegations. Suspects including Mohsin and Ali Zain reportedly told investigators that they had only interacted with Diana socially and rejected the allegation that she had been assaulted.
The suspects also claimed that Diana had gone to the apartment voluntarily after arriving there through her acquaintances. They denied any wrongdoing and said they had no knowledge of certain allegations involving another individual named in the case.
The competing claims are part of the ongoing legal proceedings. The allegations made by the complainant and the denials by the accused remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.
Diana’s case attracted attention after she reportedly declined to board an earlier flight to Azerbaijan. She had arrived at Lahore airport for departure but later left the flight and remained in Pakistan.
Her continued presence at the airport prompted further coordination between Pakistani authorities and the Azerbaijani diplomatic mission.
On Sunday, arrangements were finally completed for her return. Police officials accompanied her through the airport and ensured that she boarded the flight to Baku.
The departure marks the latest development in a case that has involved police investigations, court proceedings and diplomatic coordination between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.
Authorities have not indicated that Diana’s departure will affect the ongoing legal proceedings in Pakistan. The case is expected to proceed according to the relevant legal process, while statements from the complainant and accused will be assessed by investigators and the courts.
The police and other authorities involved in the case are also expected to continue handling matters related to the investigation in accordance with Pakistani law.
Diana’s return to Azerbaijan comes amid continued interest in the case and follows coordination between the two countries’ authorities.