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Pakistan students storm 'brothel' | Pakistan students storm 'brothel' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Students from a radical mosque in Islamabad have abducted nine people, including six Chinese women, accusing them of prostitution. | |
The students, who were reportedly armed with batons, broke into an acupuncture clinic in a residential part of the city which they said was a brothel. | |
They assaulted three armed guards and then raided the compound. | |
It is the latest in a series of acts by hardliners from the Pakistani capital's Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) since January. | |
Their activities reveal the growth of Taleban support in the country. | |
A mosque spokesman has accused the Chinese acupuncture and health centre of promoting sin. | |
The Chinese ambassador has called on the head of Pakistan's ruling party to help release the hostages. | |
'Immoral activities' | 'Immoral activities' |
The pro-Taleban students raided the centre late on Friday night. | |
In a statement they said: "The foreign women were involved in prostitution in a massage centre". | |
Students said they wanted the group to give up their "immoral activities". | Students said they wanted the group to give up their "immoral activities". |
"We have not kidnapped anyone but have brought six foreign women and three men to persuade them," they said, according to Reuters news agency. | |
"It is a natural reaction by students against vulgarity and obscenity." | "It is a natural reaction by students against vulgarity and obscenity." |
The mosque has been openly defying the government for months, resulting in a tense stand-off. | The mosque has been openly defying the government for months, resulting in a tense stand-off. |
Officials have tried to appease the mosque and its students with talks and concessions, saying they do not want to use force against the women and in a holy place. | Officials have tried to appease the mosque and its students with talks and concessions, saying they do not want to use force against the women and in a holy place. |
But critics have attacked the government for failing to enforce its authority in the capital city. | But critics have attacked the government for failing to enforce its authority in the capital city. |