DUSHANBE, September 4, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Shepherd from the Ishkashim district in Gorno Badakhshan, Chorshanbe Khusravov, has been detained by local police on suspicion of having attempted to rape US female tourist, Ms. Mary Forward Linden, Asia-Plus has learned from Mahmadullo Asadulloyev, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior (MoI).

According to him, Ms. Linden applied to local police department Monday (September 1) evening, saying that unknown man attempted to rape her.  Chorshanbe Khusravov, a shepherd with local shepherds’ association, was detained on suspicion of having attempted to commit rape, the spokesman said.  

Criminal proceedings have been instituted and an investigation is under way.