Two foreign women who were allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted in Lahore’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) area have left Pakistan, while a local court has granted police a five-day physical remand of four arrested suspects.

According to police sources, one of the victims is from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela. Both women departed for their respective countries on Friday.

Investigators said the case is linked to an alleged cryptocurrency business partnership between the victims and the suspects. Police sources claimed the accused allegedly invited the women to Pakistan under the pretext of making further cryptocurrency investments.

According to the investigation, the prime suspect, identified as Reza Dar, allegedly took the women to a residence in DHA, where his accomplices allegedly sexually assaulted them.

Police further alleged that the suspects demanded $1.5 million from the women, claiming it as profits from the cryptocurrency venture. Investigators said the demand effectively amounted to a ransom.

Police have recorded detailed statements from the arrested suspects and presented them before a magistrate at the Cantonment Courts, where a five-day physical remand was granted for further investigation.

The Deputy Inspector General (Investigation) said the medical examination reports of both victims have been received and will be used to complete the investigation.

Police confirmed that Reza Dar, Hassan, Rahim and Naveed have been arrested, while one suspect remains at large.