World Cup worker faces 100 lashes and 7yrs in jail after reporting rape in Qatar

22 February 2022, 23:34 | Updated: 23 February 2022, 09:21

Paola Schietekat, left Qatar after she was sexually assaulted while working for the World Cup
Paola Schietekat, left Qatar after she was sexually assaulted while working for the World Cup. Picture: Alamy

By Megan Hinton

A World Cup official says she is facing a punishment of 100 lashes and seven years in jail after she reported being raped in Qatar.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Paola Schietekat, 28, from Mexico, left Qatar after she was sexually assaulted while working for the World Cup organising committee.

The official alleges an associate broke into her apartment and threatened to kill her before raping her, leaving her left arm, shoulder and back covering in bruises.

Paola, who reported the attack on June 6, 2021, said Qatari police responded by accusing her of having an affair and charged her with 'extramarital sex', which is illegal in the Gulf state. 

The 2022 World Cup worker was forced to flee the country, leaving behind what she called her 'dream job' after told by lawyers that one way of avoiding conviction was to marry her attacker.

Saying: "I had never breathed with more relief than when my passport was stamped. In Mexico the adrenaline stopped and a slower process began, although just as complex and painful."

Despite leaving the country, the charges against Paola are reportedly still valid, and she is set to be sentenced on March 6.

Read more: Champions League final 'to be moved from St Petersburg' as Russia hit with sanctions

Read more: Killer who choked grandmother to death and repeatedly raped her corpse faces jail

Caller opens up explaining why she didn't report her rape

Writing on Julio Astillero, Schietekat said the attacker who she considered a friend, allegedly gained access to her apartment through an unlocked door before wrestling her to the floor and attacking her.

She took took pictures of the scene and gained a medical certificate before reporting the alleged rape to Qatari police.

But after the attacker claimed that he and Schietekat were in a relationship, police asked her to undergo a virginity test, and brought charges against her.

Read more: UK and US both impose sanctions after Putin given green light to use force outside Russia

Read more: Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel join Global in exclusive deal

Solicitor explains why rape prosecutions are at all time low

After going public with her allegations Paola, hit out at the Mexican foreign ministry for failing to protect its citizens living in Qatar form gender-based violence.

She has since met with Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard who confirmed the state would provide legal representation "ensuring that all her rights as a Mexican citizen are respected".

Qatar was awarded the tournament in 2010 and has since been involved in numerous scandals and heavy criticism of the government's human rights policies.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Matt Hancock had admitted his affair impacted public confidence in the government.

Matt Hancock admits affair with Gina Coladangelo was 'damaging' to public confidence during pandemic

Snow was spotted as far south as London on Friday

-10C big freeze hits UK: Met Office extends weather warnings with more snow forecast for tonight

North Macedonia Russia OSCE

Russia ‘will not review its goals’ in Ukraine, says Lavrov

Meghan has insisted she didn't leak the names of the royals at the centre of the race scandal to Omid Scobie

Meghan insists she didn't leak names of royals at centre of race row to Endgame author Omid Scobie

Children look at a washing machine. British Gas customers can get paid to reduce their energy this evening

Nearly half-a-million British Gas customers can get paid to reduce energy this evening

Pontins' Prestatyn and Camber Sands sites are set to shut with “immediate effect”

Pontins closes holiday parks with 'immediate effect' leaving Brits ‘heartbroken’ and holidays in disarray

Aslef train drivers have voted to go on strike

Rail misery continues as train drivers vote to go on strike for another six months

Police powers are minimising the effectiveness of protests - with groups like Just Stop Oil now being arrested within just 10 seconds.

Police powers are minimising the effectiveness of protests with eco-groups arrested within seconds

Nepal Same Sex Marriage

Nepalese couple vow to continue campaigning after same-sex marriage recognised

Mehmet Koray Alpergin (right) and Gozde Dalbudak (left) were snatched as they returned home from an Italian restaurant in Mayfair, central London, last October, the Old Bailey was told

Thugs guilty of killing DJ after torturing him to death while kidnapped partner heard his dying screams

Madagascar Election

Madagascar’s top court ratifies presidential election result after boycott

Susan Hall said her wallet had been stolen and the incident was an example of crime being out of control in London

'She dropped it': Good Samaritan who returned Susan Hall's 'stolen' wallet reveals he found it between Tube seats

Aslef union has promised rolling strikes between 1 and 9 December

Will your train journey be affected over the Christmas period? December strikes explained

King Charles warned Cop28 that the 'hope of the world' rested on the Dubai summit's shoulders today

'Hope of the world' rests on Dubai climate summit, King Charles tells Cop28

Exclusive
A Met Police officer tasered a 10-year-old girl

Father of girl, 10, tasered by police says officer's actions are a 'green light to go around tasering anybody'

Dozens of schools have been forced to close amid the snowfall

Dozens of UK schools forced to close as Brits wake up to snow - see the full list