Indian athlete held over sex abuse in US

A snowshoe athlete from Indian-administered Kashmir has been arrested in the US on charges of sexually abusing a minor girl.

 

Tanveer Hussain, 24, has been remanded in jail in Saranac Lake, New York, where he participated in the 2017 world snowshoe championship.

 

Hussain was initially denied a visa, but managed to travel after campaigning by US activists and senators.

 

His attorney has entered a not-guilty plea for him.

 

Saranac Lake police department said that the charges against Mr Hussain, which include endangering the welfare of a child, stem from him engaging in a "passionate kiss with the 12-year-old victim".

 

"There was no accusation of force. The charges are a result of the age difference of the individuals," the AP news agency quoted the police as saying.