“I remember that while they were raping me, one of the rapists pointed a gun at my head. ‘You won’t get out of here, you’ll die here,’ he told me, ‘you’ve seen too many faces.’ With these words, the victim, a 32-year-old Colombian woman, understood she had to do everything to escape the hell of the occupied palace on Via Cesare Tallone, in Tor Cervara.
The Nightmare Begins: From Seville to Rome’s Underbelly
The woman arrived in Rome from Seville on May 16th with a friend, staying at a hostel in Esquilino. Her friend checked out the next day, but for the 32-year-old, a far more sinister fate awaited. On the evening of May 17th, while having dinner at a restaurant, she was approached by a man named Antonio. She asked him for marijuana, but he offered hashish and claimed to know someone with weed. She agreed to follow him, walking for about half an hour before being forcibly loaded into a white van with two African men. This marked the beginning of a nearly three-day nightmare, filled with repeated sexual violence in rooms within the palace, secured with padlocks.
A Palace of Crime: Tor Cervara’s Dark History
The occupied palace on Via Cesare Tallone, and the nearby one on Via Raffaele Costi, have been repeatedly evicted in recent years, yet they remain hotspots for murders, assaults, rapes, drug dealing, and arson. Even yesterday, occupants, including undocumented immigrants and ex-convicts, threatened journalists, underscoring the ongoing danger of these locations.
The Arrests: Five Men, Multiple Identities, and a History of Crime
Following the 32-year-old’s report, a police raid on May 22nd led to 29 people being taken to the immigration office. The victim, treated at Policlinico Casilino, tested positive for drugs and tranquilizers, which she believes were administered by her attackers during her captivity. Her detailed testimony led to the arrest of five men: Paul Nwabueze and Isibor Wisdom (Nigerians, 39 and 29), Karamba Kanteh and Lamin Saidykhan (Gambians, 38 and 29), and Harouma Traore (Malian, 43). All are undocumented, repeatedly expelled, and possess multiple aliases (Lamin alone has twelve) to evade criminal convictions. Their records include drug dealing, domestic abuse, computer fraud, and resisting public officials. Another 11 occupants were sent to repatriation centers for deportation.
A Glimmer of Hope: Rescue and a Disturbing Revelation
On the afternoon of May 19th, a passing motorist on Via Costi found the woman semi-naked and in shock, calling 112. The victim also recounted seeking help from a light-skinned female occupant, who allegedly refused. However, when questioned by police, this Italian occupant claimed to have helped her. She stated that the victim was under the influence of drugs and alcohol and that it wasn’t the first time she had seen her in the building. Disturbingly, she added, “Many women here are raped, they prostitute themselves in exchange for drugs.” While it’s unclear if this broader context applies to the victim’s case, it doesn’t diminish the gravity of the group rape she endured. The 32-year-old is now in a protected facility, assisted by a lawyer specializing in violence against women.
Unanswered Questions and a Call for Action
The incident at Tor Cervara highlights the persistent issues within Rome’s occupied buildings, where a lack of effective oversight and repeated evictions fail to curb criminal activity. The case raises critical questions about the safety of vulnerable individuals and the effectiveness of law enforcement in these lawless zones. The victim’s courage in coming forward provides a crucial insight into the dark realities faced by many in the shadows of the city.
Source: https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_maggio_29/roma-tor-cervara-lo-stupro-e-il-palazzo-dello-scandalo-la-vittima-mi-dicevano-hai-visto-troppa-gente-morirai-qui-de688a86-5fa6-47d6-ad83-acbe4a0a3xlk.shtml
