Authorities in Japan arrest Egyptian man over 'attempted rape'

The 40-year-old, identified as Osama Shawqi Zaki Abu-Fatouh, attacked a woman in her twenties just after midnight on June 28 in Tokyo's Nerima Ward.

It is believed that the woman was walking into her apartment block when Abu-Fatouh approached her. 

"Give me a hug" he reportedly said as he attempted to corner her outside the elevator in the building.

He allegedly thrust himself on her and groped her before she managed to break free.

"I did not do such a thing," he told police upon his arrest, according to local media.

Abu-Fatouh was sought by police over "attempted rape" after CCTV footage showed him encircling the area outside the building prior to the attack.

Sexual assault against women is common in Egypt, where it is commonly referred to as Taharrush [meaning harassment in Arabic].

Some 60 percent of women said they had been victims of some form of sexual harassment during their lifetimes, according to a 2017 report from the UN Women and Promundo.

Three-quarters of men and 84 percent of women polled said that women who "dress provocatively deserve to be harassed".

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