At least $134,000 raised for Belarusian rape victim still unconscious in Warsaw

March 1, Pozirk. More than 10,000 people collected 533,000 zlotys ($134,000) in a fundraiser for a 25-year-old Belarusian woman raped and nearly strangled in central Warsaw in the early hours of February 25.

Her boyfriend, a native of Ukraine, launched a fundraiser as the victim remains in serious condition in the hospital. She has not regained consciousness and is on a ventilation machine at the intensive care unit.

The woman fled Belarus amid a crackdown on 2020 postelection protest participants in Belarus.

A masked perpetrator reportedly attacked the woman from behind. A security guard found her later on the stairs of a building and called police who provided first aid before the ambulance arrived.

The alleged perpetrator, 23, was arrested later on February 25, the Polish police said, noting that his arrest was a priority because of the brutality of the crime. He is suspected of a sexual offense, robbery and attempted murder with the use of a dangerous weapon.

If convicted, the suspect may face a life sentence.