Kashmiri athlete held in US over sexual abuse charges

SRINAGAR: A Kashmiri snowshoe athlete has been arrested in the United States of America after a minor girl accused him of sexual abuse, said Snowshoe Federation of Indian and US media on Thursday.

Tanveer Hussain, 24, and his manager, who were initially denied the US visa on January 31, were provided the visa after the issue was raised in media prompting efforts by some of the US senators to allow them to participate in the World Snowshoe Championship. After the event was over on February 25, Hussain was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child, reported Adirondak Daily Enterprise. “Yes, he has been arrested after allegations of sexual abuse of a minor girl surfaced. We are trying to ascertain what happened,” said Mir Mudasir, president Snowshoe Federation of India. He said that one of the federation’s officials Abid Khan, who accompanied Hussain to US for the event, provided him help whatsoever was possible after the sudden arrest.

“I spoke to Khan and he told me that Hussain has been provided with an attorney by the state department. The attorney is going to talk to the Indian embassy in the US,” Mudasir said. He said that two Indian families living around the area have come forward for help. Adirondak Daily Enterprise quoted Abid Khan, who is still in the US, saying that Hussain told him he is innocent. Khan said the girl had followed him and Hussain around in an affectionate way during their stay here. HTC