A second Olympic boxer has been accused by a housekeeper in the athletes’ village of sexual assault.
Jonas Junias Jonas, a 22-year-old boxer from Namibia who was the country’s flag-bearer during the opening ceremony, was accused by a maid of grabbing her, kissing her forcefully, and then offering her money to have sexual relations with him, according to a report from O Globo. Brazilian police arrested him after the maid reported him to the police. He is expected to be transferred to the sprawling Bangu prison complex in Rio’s far west zone, where Brazilian suspects accused of petty and violent crimes await trials and carry out their sentences.
Olympic officials confirmed on Monday that Junias was arrested, but said they could not comment on the specific charges he’s facing or the investigation by local police.
“Brazilian law needs to be respected and this is something that we have to agree on,” said Mario Andrada, spokesman for the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee. “What we need to do is make sure that all the legal procedures are being followed and we understand that they have.”
International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams said security has been paramount at the Olympic Village, a collection of high-rise apartments near the main Olympic Park where most of the 11,000 athletes competing in the Games are staying.
“Security is very tight at the village, in terms of entry and exit,” Adams said. “Security is being tightened all the way through.”
Junias’ arrest follows a similar incident last week, when boxer Hassan Saada from Morocco was accused of sexual assault by two maids in the athletes’ village. The female employees accused the athlete of thrusting his body against one of them, attempting to kiss her and groping a maid’s breasts. Saada is also being detained in the Bangu prison complex.
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) released a statement that said it has confidence that Brazilian authorities will handle the case of the Namibian boxer appropriately and would not comment further.
