WALVIS BAY – The French man, 46-year-old Mathieu Nicolas Furic who was arrested last week Friday at the Walvis Bay airport for sexual crimes committed in India against children was denied bail during his first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate court on Monday.
Furic who made his first court appearance in the High Court, had his case postponed to 4 July for further investigation by Magistrate Ingrid Unengu. Prosecutor Simba Nduna acted on behalf of the state.
Furic was nabbed at the Walvis Bay Airport last Friday, is accused of allegedly molesting underage children in India during November last year and skipped the country after his alleged crimes were uncovered.
He was arrested by Interpol with the assistance of Nampol and immigration officials at Walvis Bay when he tried to enter the country as a fisherman to work on one of the fishing vessels at the coast.
It is believed that he has been a fugitive since then, which resulted in Indian Authorities requesting the assistance of Interpol to trace him.
An online Indian newspaper, New India Express reports that a case was registered against Furic on 3 December 2013 for allegedly sexually abusing a group of children in Odisha’s beach town of Puri, India between 23 and 26 November 2013.
The newspaper further reports that the alleged crime came to light after an American tourist, identified as James Foster Gorma, a key witness in the case lodged a complaint with the local police in December after he saw Furic perform oral sex with the children.
Allegations are also that Furic allegedly assaulted Gorman when he protested against his acts.
Gorman allegedly talked to some of the children believed to be allegedly molested by Furic and recorded their conversation and handed over the video footage to Indian authorities to investigate Furic.
On the basis of the footage and a written complaint, police raided the hotel where Furic was staying shortly afterwards, but found that he had left for France already.
Furic has been booked for committing offences under Indian Penal code, including for wrongful restraint, causing hurt, criminal intimidation and under Protection Of Children From Sexual Offences Act.
When contacted for comment the Indian High Commission referred the New Era to Interpol, saying that they were notified by Interpol earlier this week and are willing to assist Interpol so that Furic can pay for his alleged crimes.
New Era also tried to contact Head of the Interpol National Central Bureau in Windhoek, Chief Inspector Immanuel Sam, but he was not available for comment as he was still busy with court proceedings.
By Eveline de Klerk