Woman reveals outrage and slams justice system after suspect who allegedly raped her walks free as trial ditched
She told of her torment over a nine-year delay to bring Ibrahim Suliman to court before his planned trial was ditched
A WOMAN who claims she was raped by an illegal immigrant slammed the justice system after he dodged a string of sex rapes, saying: “How could they let this happen?”
She told of her torment over a nine-year delay to bring Ibrahim Suliman to court before his planned trial was ditched.
And in a further blow, the alleged victim learned Suliman, 39, is still living in Edinburgh and may not be booted out of the country.
She said yesterday: “I feel very badly let down by the justice system. How could they let this happen?”
Suliman was alleged to have attacked the woman in 2008 while he was illegally working as a taxi driver in the capital.
Weeks later, he fled to Sudan, Africa, via Istanbul — just a day before cops visited his house to quiz him over the claims.
But it took until this year to bring him back to Scotland to face trial.
He was flown in to face two rape charges and three sex assault raps against two other women.
Further charges included working illegally as a private hire cab driver without a licence and attempting to pervert the course of justice by leaving the country.
But his trial at the High Court in Edinburgh was canned in February.
Prosecutors were concerned one of his alleged victims would not be fit to give evidence.
Last night the woman’s furious hubby hit out over the case.
He said: “I can’t believe this. My wife is in bits over all of this. It has ruined her life for almost a decade.”
When quizzed by The Scottish Sun on Sunday, Suliman at first insisted he didn’t know three of the women who claimed he’d attacked them.
But he later admitted picking up the rape accuser and having sex in his cab — and blamed her for making the first move.
He said: “This woman got in front of my car in the Grassmarket.
“I had the taxi plate on but I told her I wasn’t working and was going home. She insisted I take her home and she then tried it on with me.
“We had sex in the car, then I dropped her at home.
“I was ashamed and at first I lied about it. I was a married man and loved my wife.”
Suliman — who tied the knot with a British PhD student at Edinburgh’s Central Mosque in 2005 — denied fleeing in 2008 to dodge cops, insisting he headed home because his aunt had died.
His marriage broke down and he is now remarried with two kids.
He revealed he’s now waiting to be reunited with his family after setting up a flat with relatives in Leith.
But he reckons they won’t be welcome in Edinburgh and he may be forced out anyway over the slurs.
He said: “Members of my own community look at me like a criminal.
“I don’t go to the Central Mosque any more because the people there insulted me with their eyes.
“Eventually I will have to make a fresh start.” Bizarrely, Suliman asked our reporter to see snaps of his alleged victims. When we refused, he told us: “I just want to ask them why they did this to me.”
Suliman first came to Britain from Sudan in 2001 but was banned from living or working in the UK after his asylum application was snubbed.
He defied the order to work for pizza firm Domino’s and drive for the capital’s Star Cabs, Direct Cabs and Accolade Taxis. He was accused of multiple rapes and sex assaults between 2004 and 2008, when he left the country.
In a bizarre twist, the UK Border Agency had granted him indefinite leave to remain here just six days before he bolted to Sudan.
The UK has no extradition treaty with the African country but international investigators tailed Suliman and later discovered he was working in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He was eventually returned to Scotland nine years after his final alleged attack. Authorities last night refused to say whether Suliman is being monitored.
But the Home Office revealed someone in his position might not lose the right to remain in the UK just because their marriage was over.
The Crown Office confirmed Suliman’s case had been “discontinued”.
A spokesman said: “These allegations led to a very extensive criminal inquiry, and ultimately to our international liaison officers applying successfully to extradite the accused from the United Arab Emirates to face trial in Scotland.
“Prior to the case calling for trial it became clear essential evidence in the case was no longer available to the Crown and it was not possible to continue proceedings.
“However, the Crown must keep cases under review and consider any changes in evidence or witness availability.” The spokesman added that prosecutors could “re-raise” proceedings in future should the position change.
Cops declined to discuss whether Suliman is being monitored, describing it as an “operational matter”.
A spokesman for Rape Crisis Scotland said: “It is important that rape complainers have confidence that all possible steps are taken to ensure access to justice, and that they are kept fully informed and supported throughout the process.”