Medicine man allegedly rapes girl during 'exorcism ceremony' in Kapit

SIBU: A traditional medicine practitioner in Kapit has been arrested for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl during an "exorcism" ceremony.

Kapit OCPD Deputy Supt Freddy Bian said on Monday (Dec 28) that a 40-year old woman had lodged a police report on Dec 26 claiming that the suspect had raped her daughter.

The woman said that at about 6pm on Dec 24, she and two friends had brought the victim to the suspect as she believed daughter was being disturbed by evil spirits.

"The suspect took them to a stream near Balleh River on a longboat.

When they arrived, the suspect told the complainant that was taking the victim to the other side of the river to carry out the exorcism ceremony," he said, adding that the alleged rape then occurred.

"The suspect warned the victim not to tell anybody or her 'illness' would not be cured," said DSP Freddy.

However at about 2am on Dec 25, the victim told her mother about the incident.

The suspect was arrested the next day.

The victim has been sent to the Sibu Hospital for medical observation and the case is being investigated under Section 376 of the Penal Code for rape.