CCTV footage from a Paris kebab shop shows the moment an Australian woman sought refuge in the early hours of the morning after being gang-raped.
More than 3,000 known criminals have been banned from the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. At least one million people taking part in the Games are subject to security checks. Up to 45,000 French police and security forces – including 2,000 security specialists from allied countries – will be deployed at train stations, airports and Olympic sites.
The video shows the 25-year-old tourist crying as staff and customers at the store offer her water and try to comfort her in the early hours of Saturday morning.
She had sought refuge at Dunia, a kebab shop on Rue Clichy near the Moulin Rouge in Paris’ 18th arrondissement, after being raped by five men.
An Australian woman was seen pleading for help from customers and staff at a Paris kebab shop in the moments after she was gang-raped in the French capital. Photo: Supplied
Police arrived at the kebab shop as customers comforted the woman in the early hours of Saturday morning. Photo: Supplied
The woman was said to be “disoriented and unable to speak a word of French” when she arrived at the store, and her dress was “upside down” and partially torn.
Surveillance footage released Tuesday showed the woman pointing out to an employee helping her inside the store that the man who had just entered was one of her alleged attackers.
The woman sought refuge at Dunya’s Kebab Shop after she was allegedly raped. Photo: Supplied
The man was seen loitering in the store, before approaching the woman and patting her on the back.
Moments later, a physical confrontation broke out between a customer and the man, who then fled the scene.
Police arrived shortly after, and the woman, who is believed to have been in Paris for the Fete de Musique music festival, was taken to Bichat Hospital.
She told police she was raped by five men of African appearance.
The kebab shop owner told Seven News that the woman – who was due to return to Australia on Sunday – could not stop crying and her dress was damaged.
The Paris public prosecutor’s office said police were investigating the allegations.
“The investigation into the gang rape charge that may have been committed on the night of July 19-20 has been assigned to the second district of the judicial police,” the statement said.
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Paris police have declared a state of maximum alert in anticipation of any criminal activity in the French capital just days before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Australian athletes taking part in the Games have reportedly been advised not to travel alone or wear their team uniform while in Paris.
Australian mission chief Anna Meares told reporters she had been informed of the alleged rape of the woman.
“It sounds horrific. Obviously our hearts go out to the woman involved and we hope she receives care and support,” she said.
