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Namibian boxer arrested on suspicion of sexual assault

Namibia's flagbearer Jonas Junias Jonas leads his delegation during the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Ja
Image: Jonas Junias carries the Namibia flag during the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Namibian boxer Jonas Junius has been arrested on suspicion of a sexual assault in the Olympic Village, Rio police have confirmed.

Junius, a light-welterweight who was due to fight Hassan Amzile in the first round on Thursday, has been detained after allegedly attempting to grab and kiss a maid

The alleged incident took place on Monday night and Junius, Namibia's flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Olympics on Friday night, was taken to the nearest police station in Recreio for questioning.

A statement on the Rio civil police's official website said: "Recreio police said yesterday, August 7, that Jonas Junius was arrested.

"Jonas tried to grab and kiss a maid who managed to extricate herself. The incident occurred on the 11th floor of the hall in building two of the Olympic Village."

Scotland's Josh Taylor (red) fights Namibia's Junias Jonas during the men's light welter (64kg) final boxing bout at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow
Image: Junias Jonas won sliver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games

The International Boxing Association (AIBA), amateur boxing's world governing body, is aware of the incident.

A spokesman for AIBA said: "AIBA has taken note of the serious allegations towards a Namibian boxer who was due to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

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"We understand that the situation is being dealt with by the local Brazilian authorities and have complete confidence that they will handle the matter appropriately."

If charged, the suspect will be detained in Bangu prison, where Moroccan Hassan Saada has been held since Friday.

Saada was charged with attempted rape after he was alleged to have propositioned two Olympic Village cleaners, grabbing one of them, on Wednesday.

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