2025-08-26T13:44:40Z

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In a horrifying incident that tarnished the magic of one of the world's most beloved landmarks, a 17-year-old Libyan man was arrested after dragging a 32-year-old Ukrainian woman into the bushes and sexually assaulting her near the Eiffel Tower.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning, just after 2:40 AM, when the victim was reportedly targeted at the Champ-de-Mars, a popular park frequented by tourists and locals alike. The scene of the crime is notorious for being a hotspot for visitors, attracting nearly six million people each year who come to marvel at the iconic structure.

Thanks to the victim's screams, nearby police officers were alerted quickly, leading to the arrest of the suspect, who was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the attack. Although the young man claimed to be 17 and of Libyan nationality, authorities are still in the process of verifying his identity as he had no identification documents on him.

This grievous event did not occur in isolation. Tragically, the Champ-de-Mars area has been the site of numerous sexual assaults and rapes over the years. Just last year, a Mexican tourist reported being raped by five men in the same park, and another incident involved a British police officer who was attacked by a man wielding a knife. These crimes have led Rachida Dati, the borough's mayor, to declare that such assaults happen 'every day' in the area, highlighting severe concerns regarding safety and police resources.

For the year 2024, police records revealed one rape and seven sexual assaults in the Champ-de-Mars, a troubling statistic that reflects the ongoing challenges faced by local law enforcement in ensuring the safety of both residents and tourists. As visitors flock to the Eiffel Tower, the chilling reality of violence lurking in such a picturesque setting raises profound questions about the protection of individuals in public spaces.