Rio 2016: Namibian boxer arrested for sexual assault

Namibia’s flag bearer Jonas Junias has been arrested for sexual assault at the Rio Olympics Athletes Village. / Courtesy of Twitter

By Lee Jin-a

Namibian boxer Jonas Junias has been arrested for sexual assault at the Rio Olympics Athletes Village.

Junias, 22, allegedly kissed a housemaid at the village and offered to pay her for sex, Brazilian police said on Monday (local time).

Under Brazilian laws, anyone who attempts a sexual act, including kissing, without permission can be charged with sexual assault.

Junias was Namibia's flag bearer at the opening ceremony and was set to compete in the men's light welterweight division on Aug 12.

Mario Andrada, Rio 2016 communications executive director, said the committee knew of the incident.

Junias is the second athlete arrested for sexual charges at the Olympics _ the other is Moroccan boxer Hassan Saada. Both are in custody.