Nine-year-old Russian girl raped in Goa

A nine-year-old Russian girl was raped by an unidentified man at Arambol beach in north Goa, the police said on Wednesday.

According to the complaint filed by the victim's mother at Pernem police station, her daughter was raped while she was playing in the beach waters on Tuesday, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares said. Tavares said that a case has been registered under section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (rape) and section 8 (II) of the Goa Children's Act.

The incident took place between 5.30 pm and 6 pm after two persons struck up a conversation with the girl's mother on the beach.

"While one person began chatting with the mother, another ventured in the water where the victim was playing and raped her," said Police Inspector Uttam Raut Desai.

The case was registered at approximately 8 pm, after which the victim was sent for medical examination. "The medical examination has confirmed rape," Desai said.

In a statement given to the police, the girl's mother has claimed that one of the persons, who was chatting with her, identified himself as Aman and was a domestic tourist. The latest incident comes after the rape of a 25-year-old Russian girl, allegedly by local politician John Fernandes, in December.

In another incident, on December 26, two Russian girls had to hide in a forest for almost four hours after a taxi driver chased them.

The Russian government, through its consulate in Mumbai, had on several occasions raised concerns over the hostilities being faced by its citizens vacationing in Goa.

Russian authorities had also warned its citizens against venturing out of hotels past midnight. Goa receives 40,000 Russian tourists on an annual basis.