Rio police arrest Moroccan boxer on sex assault allegation

Hassan Saada jailed on suspicion of two counts of abuse of Brazilian waitresses in Olympic village in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday

By AP 5 August 2016, 5:41 pm
This file photo taken on August 1, 2016 shows boxer Saada Hassan of Morocco who is competing in the 81 kg category poses after a training session at the Riocentro complex in Rio de Janeiro prior to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 1, 2016. (AFP PHOTO / YURI CORTEZ)

Brazilian police said Friday they have jailed a Moroccan Olympic boxer on allegations he sexually assaulted two Brazilian women.

In a statement, police said they arrested boxer Hassan Saada Friday for possible assaults on two Brazilian women who worked as waitresses in the Olympic Village.

According to the statement, the attacks happened on Wednesday. No other details were given.

Police say Saada will be jailed for a period of 15 days while they conduct a rape investigation. Under Brazilian law, suspects can be held for a long period of time while a case is examined.

He was due to compete Saturday. A light heavyweight boxer, he was set to fight Mehmet Nadir of Turkey in the preliminary rounds Saturday at 12:30 p.m. He was not predicted to be a medal contender.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.

read more: