’Rape academy’: Two men held in Poland over alleged drugging, sexual assaults
Polish police have detained two men suspected of drugging women, sexually assaulting them and sharing recordings through closed online groups.
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Officers in Kępno, west-central Poland, arrested a 45-year-old man from the surrounding county on July 8. A 22-year-old from Słupca county was detained a week later. Both were placed in pre-trial detention.
The investigation began after German police passed information to their Polish counterparts, regional police spokesman Andrzej Borowiak said.
„Women were drugged with pharmaceuticals or other substances and then sexually abused while unconscious,” Borowiak said. „All these situations were recorded and posted in closed online groups.”
Police and prosecutors have declined to disclose details of the alleged offenses to protect the victims.
’Rape academy’
Investigators said the case resembles an international online practice described by US broadcaster CNN as a „rape academy.” The phrase is a media label rather than a formal legal term.
A CNN investigation found online groups in which men allegedly encouraged one another to drug and sexually assault their wives or partners. Users also exchanged recordings and advice on avoiding detection.
Reporters gained access to a private Telegram group with nearly 1,000 members sharing so-called „sleep content,” videos showing women who appeared to be unconscious or asleep during sexual acts.
Similar material attracted hundreds of thousands of views on a major pornographic website.
CNN began investigating the groups following international attention surrounding the case of Gisèle Pelicot. Her former husband was convicted in France of repeatedly drugging her and arranging for dozens of men to rape her over several years.
The investigation has previously produced a Polish case.
In April, prosecutors in Radzyń Podlaski charged a man identified in the CNN report as „Piotr from Poland” with drugging and raping his wife. He admitted guilt, and prosecutors have since filed an indictment.
Polish media have reported that investigators are examining possible links between that case and the two recent arrests.
Police and prosecutors have not confirmed any connection.
(rt/gs)
Source: TVP Info, TVN24
Radio Poland
