A suspect has been arrested in connection with an alleged attempted rape on a train near Paris, footage of which went viral. The incident, involving a Brazilian national, occurred on October 15 between Choisy-le-Roi and Villeneuve-le-Roi train stations. The arrest took place on Friday evening in Mantes-la-Jolie.
Incident Details
On October 15, a 26-year-old Brazilian national, Jhordana Dias, was allegedly attacked on a train south-east of Paris. Ms. Dias reported to Le Parisien newspaper that a man boarded the train, pushed her, and attempted to pull down her underwear.
Video Footage and Public Response
Another passenger, identified in French media as Marguerite, began filming after hearing screams. The video shows a man dressed in a black tracksuit and cap onboard the carriage. Over the sound of a woman's cries, the person filming is heard saying "you stay there." As the train arrived at a station, the man disembarked and fled down the platform.
The footage circulated on news outlets and social media. Following its dissemination, discussions around women's safety on public transport in France reportedly intensified, with women sharing experiences of harassment.
Arrest of Suspect
According to French media, a suspect was arrested on Friday evening by transport police in Mantes-la-Jolie, north-west of Paris. Investigators traced him to this location. At the time of his arrest, he was not carrying identity documentation but told police he was a 26-year-old Egyptian national. He remains in custody.
Further Allegations
Le Parisien newspaper has reported that two other women have since come forward, stating they had also been victims of the same man.
Victim's Complaint
Ms. Dias, who reportedly does not speak French, filed a complaint with police in Choisy-le-Roi with the assistance of her brother, who provided translation for her testimony.