Somali teenager who 'killed her attacker' freed by Egyptian authorities

A Somali teenager accused of killing a tuk-tuk driver whom she alleged had tried to rape her has been released from custody in Egypt, according to reports. 

The 15-year-old was freed by Egypt's public prosecution on Friday after police and medical investigations revealed that she had likely acted in self-defence.

The girl, who is reportedly a refugee, turned herself in at the police station and told officers that she had stabbed the driver and escaped after he had taken her to a secluded area on the outskirts of 6th October City, near Cairo, and attempted to rape her, according to Ahram Online.

The girl has won widespread sympathy and support from social media users in Egypt, many of whom called on prominent lawyers to defend her.

Sexual harassment is extremely common in Egypt.

A 2013 UN study revealed that 99.3 percent of girls and women in Egypt have experienced some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime, reported the BBC.