A MALE student who is wanted by police in connection with a sex attack on a woman has fled to his homeland of India.
The brutal attack took place in Pilrig Park last Sunday leaving a 23-year-old woman with serious facial injuries.
Police in India are liaising with authorities to try and trace the 25-year-old and have him extradited back to Scotland.
The UK has a very complicated extradition process in place with India but the Scottish authorities are however hopeful that the Indian student will be sent back to the police in Edinburgh for questioning.
It is thought that the man boarded a flight to India shortly after the sexual assault of the young female took place.
A warrant for the man was issued earlier this week.
The young female was taken to hospital last Sunday after being attacked where she is still undergoing special treatment for her injuries.
A Crown Office spokesman said: “A warrant has been issued for a 25-year-old male as proceedings are active it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
A police spokeswoman confirmed that this warrant for a 25-year-old male was still active.
The victim of the attack had been out with friends in the city centre and left the HMV Picture House nightclub on Lothian Road at around 3am on Sunday to return home.
CCTV recorded the woman walking down the west end of Princes Street before walking east.
The female, who is from Edinburgh, was found by two members of the public in a playground in Pilrig Park around 6am before calling for an ambulance.
Extra police patrols were used to carry out further investigations including door-to-door inquiries in the area. A scene examination was also carried out by specialists where the victim was found.
Officers have also been trying to find witnesses by visiting local businesses, churches and community groups in the hope that someone has information.
Since the incident happened last Sunday a police van has been stationed beside the park to reassure the people of the community and to give potential witnesses a chance to come forward.
An appeal to trace a rickshaw driver was also released by detectives as it is thought they may have given the woman a lift before she was attacked.
The rickshaw driver was seen around 3.30am on Leith Walk turning into Pilrig Street.
Police have also made enquiries with HMV Picture House to see if anyone tried to approach the 23.-year-old at any point during her night out.
DI Cunningham, who is leading the investigation, said the woman has suffered a “deeply traumatic” ordeal, but family are now supporting her.
Police are continuing to investigate another sexual assault that happened in the Fishmarket Close area-also last Sunday. A 19-year-old woman was attacked around 3am but no arrests have been made.
Officers say the two cases are not linked.
A police spokeswoman said: “Inquiries are still ongoing.”
