A man was held down and forced to watch as migrants who smashed into his car raped his 18-year-old fiancee in Italy, according to police in Rome.
The couple had parked in a quiet corner of Tor Tre Teoste, a park in the eastern part of the capital minutes before they were surrounded by the group who attacked their vehicle.
Police said the attackers broke the window and first pulled the man, 24, from the car before forcing the woman out as she tried to cover herself with an item of clothing.
The man told cops he was restrained by two of the attackers as his fiancee was dragged a short distance away.
As she was sexually assaulted, he screamed for help, begged them to stop and even threatened revenge, but was unable to break free.
After the attack, all three perpetrators fled the scene. The couple, both Italian, then contracted police and filed a report.
According to the authorities, the couple were terrified and confused. Cops also added that it was possible that there were up to five attackers involved.
Officers have since arrested three Moroccan men on charges of gang rape and robbery.
Two were traced by officers from Rome’s Flying Squad unit and detained only days after the October 25 attack, and a third was picked up in Venice a few days ago.
Investigators said the arrests were kept quiet while they continued gathering evidence.
Italian police patrolling the streets of Rome. Investigators are probing after a man was forced to watch as migrants raped his 18-year-old fiancee
Fingerprints lifted from the shattered window match the men who have been arrested, according to investigators.
Officers also said the attack began as a robbery, as the couple’s belongings were taken during the assault.
Confirming that police are still looking into whether additional men were involved, a detective said that the ‘investigation isn’t closed’.
In November last year, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni linked migrants, particularly undocumented ones, to the country’s increase of sexual violence and rape.
Meanwhile, last week, politicians moved to expand the definition of sexual violence to include non-consensual acts. It removes the responsibility of the victim to show physical signs of abuse.
Advocates have hailed the amendment, saying it will make it easier for people to report such crimes.
It comes after the outcome of several rape cases sparked outrage.
