A teenage girl accused of luring a young man into a trap for a gang rape in Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana neighborhood has been ordered detained by a judge, according to court officials.
The decision came after prosecutors alleged the minor played a key role in setting up the ambush that led to the sexual assault of the victim. Authorities say she allegedly contacted the young man under false pretenses and directed him to a location where multiple attackers were waiting.
Police confirmed the girl was taken into custody and subsequently transferred to a juvenile detention facility pending further investigation. The case has been formally filed as a lawsuit, with prosecutors pursuing charges related to rape, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy.
Judge Priscila Villela, who presided over the hearing, stated there was sufficient evidence to justify the adolescent’s preventive detention, citing the seriousness of the alleged crime and the risk of witness tampering or flight.
The incident has drawn widespread attention in Brazil, reigniting public debate over youth violence, sexual assault, and the effectiveness of juvenile justice measures in high-profile cases.
According to court records, the victim identified several individuals involved in the attack, including the teenage girl, whose alleged role as an accomplice in luring the victim proved central to the prosecution’s argument for detention.
Legal representatives for the accused minor did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The case remains under active investigation by Rio de Janeiro’s specialized police unit for crimes against vulnerable persons.
The judicial order underscores the gravity with which Brazilian authorities are treating the case, particularly given the victim’s age and the coordinated nature of the alleged assault.
As the legal process moves forward, officials say they will continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses to build a complete picture of the events that occurred in the Copacabana area.
