Girl, 14, kills herself days after she was ‘gang-raped in a Belgian cemetery by five attackers including three minors who shared images of her ordeal online’
- Girl, 14, was allegedly gang-raped in Westerbegraafplaats cemetery on May 15
- Alleged assailants ‘took pictures of themselves raping her and put them online’
- Four days later, she killed herself and her family were told of alleged gang-rape
- The five alleged perpetrators, believed to be from Ghent, have been arrested
A 14-year-old girl killed herself days after she was allegedly gang-raped in a Belgian cemetery by five attackers who shared pictures of her ordeal online.
The teenage victim, from Gavere, went to meet a friend in the Westerbegraafplaats cemetery in Ghent on May 15, but four other people were waiting and allegedly gang-raped her.
The alleged perpetrators took pictures and videos of themselves while raping the victim and posted them on social media, 7sur7 reported.
Four days later, the teenager killed herself and her family were later told about the gang-rape by one of the girl’s friends.
Police identified the five alleged offenders after analysing the images as three minors aged 14 and 15, and two adults aged 18 and 19. Two of the minors are brothers, according to Het Nieuwsblad.
A 14-year-old girl, from Gavere, committed suicide after allegedly being gang-raped by five people in Westerbegraafplaats cemetery (pictured) in Ghent, Belgium, on May 15
The five alleged assailants, who are all believed to be from Ghent, have reportedly been arrested by police for rape, indecent assault and the taking and dissemination of photographs likely to constitute an attack on the integrity of a person.
Some of the suspects are believed to have already been known to police.
The prosecution have reportedly only confirmed that the five young people are suspected of ‘events that occurred shortly before the victim’s death’.
On Wednesday, the two young people aged 18 and 19 will be presented to court, which will consider if there was an aggravating circumstance that led to the victim’s death.
Mayor of Gavere Denis Dierick said he knew the victim ‘very well’ and described her death as ‘pure horror’ and ‘an inhuman tragedy’.
The alleged perpetrators took pictures of themselves raping the victim at Westerbegraafplaats cemetery (pictured) and posted them on social media. They have been arrested by police
Justice Minister Vincent van Quikernborn took to Twitter to promise that those responsible would be punished and called on victims of sexual violence to file complaints and seek help.
The minister added: ‘Hateful, there are no words to describe it. My thoughts are with the family and friends.
‘Suspects have been arrested and the investigation is ongoing. Justice must be concerned about justice.’
According to Newsin24, the victim’s father said that his daughter had been ‘struggling for some time’.
He added: ‘She needed help and unfortunately it took far too long for her to get it.
‘She had such a hard time and these facts and images were the last straw for her. A 14 year old girl can’t go through something like this.
‘She saw her whole world fall apart. Without these people, she would have been there. All I can hope for now is justice.’
MailOnline has contacted Ghent Police for further comment.
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details