A Rwandan migrant is accused of dragging a Belgian woman off her bicycle, pulling her into bushes, and raping Wednesday morning before sunrise in the Belgian city of Kortrijk. A passersby called the police, who arrested the suspect shortly after the rape.
The woman was cycling to work along the Bruyningpad, a cycle path that connects the Marke district and the Hoog Kortrijk district. At 6:50 a.m., she was surprised by the man, who dragged her into bushes near the E17 motorway and raped her before fleeing on foot.
“Attentive passersby noticed an abandoned bicycle along the bike path and alerted the emergency services at Groeninge Hospital,” said Griet De Prest, spokesperson for the West Flanders public prosecutor’s office. “Paramedics then discovered the victim near the path.”
After a brief manhunt, the perpetrator was arrested by police, according to news outlet 7sur7.
“He is a 25-year-old man of Rwandan origin, residing in Brussels,” stated Griet De Prest. “An investigating judge has been assigned to the case for rape and sexual assault. A forensic pathologist has been appointed, and the laboratory, accompanied by a tracking dog, went to the scene to conduct an investigation. The investigating judge and the public prosecutor’s office also visited the location.”
The victim was taken to Groeninge Hospital for treatment. She is also receiving psychological care. The African man is in custody and faces charges for rape.
