Model jumps from 6th floor of Dubai hotel 'to escape US businessman'
A Russian model has broken her back after jumping from the sixth floor of a Dubai hotel 'to escape from a US businessman who tried to rape and kill her'.
Ekaterina Stetsyuk, 22, from the city of Irkutsk in eastern Siberia, refused to have sex with the man who allegedly held a knife against her throat, she told friends and relatives.
However, the unnamed man has reportedly made a counter claim that she attacked him and the model is now 'in custody' in her hospital bed. Unverified allegations have also been made that she was working as an escort in Dubai.
This claim was denied by the model's mother, who said Ekaterina had been held with a knife at her throat by an American man before trying to save her life by leaping from the sixth floor of the building, which has not been identified.
Russian model Ekaterina Stetsyuk (pictured) has broken her back after jumping from the sixth floor of a Dubai hotel 'to escape from a US businessman who tried to rape and kill her'
Ekaterina Stetsyuk, 22, from the city of Irkutsk in eastern Siberia, has been left with serious injuries in hospital (pictured) after the fall
The 22-year-old (pictured) refused to have sex with the man who allegedly held a knife against a throat, she told friends and relatives
'The attack took place on March 3,' said the model's mother Inge.
'A man, a foreigner, attacked Katya, grabbed her neck and put a knife at her throat.
'My daughter tried to save her life, she had to jump from the sixth floor. She has serious injuries, she can't walk.
'And yesterday Katya (Ekaterina) called and said she would be taken to jail. They want to make her guilty.'
The man is reported to run a business in Dubai. He claimed Ekaterina had attacked him and he had to defend himself.
Inge added: 'We were not speaking about what happened to Katya because we hoped that our consulate would help. They asked us not to talk to media, but now I do not know whom I can trust.'
The unnamed man has reportedly made a counter claim that Ekaterina (pictured) attacked him and the model is now 'in custody' in her hospital bed
The model's mother said Ekaterina (pictured) had been held with a knife at her throat by an American man before trying to save her life by leaping from the sixth floor of the building, which has not been identified
Ekaterina's mother, Inge, is set to fly from Russia to Dubai to be by her daughter's side
She hit back at lurid and vitriolic social media claims in Russia that her glamorous daughter had been working as an escort in the sex industry when the incident occurred.
'My daughter is a well known model in Irkutsk,' she insisted. 'On February 15 she left for Dubai for a month where she had a contract.'
She said the claims made about her daughter could 'cause her more trouble'.
She said: 'What happened there – all my information is only from speaking to my daughter. The laws are different there, we are worried about the development of this situation.'
Her mother aims to fly to Dubai soon to be by Ekaterina's side.
The man whose nationality has not been confirmed was detained at the airport seeking to flee Dubai, Ekaterina (pictured) was told
Ekaterina's friend Irina Grossman said the model had jumped from the sixth floor 'to save her life and dignity'
The model's mother has claimed Ekaterina had been held with a knife at her throat by an American man
Ekaterina's friend Irina Grossman said the model (pictured) 'cannot walk or move by herself' after the incident
'We appeal to those who know Ekaterina and just to all sympathetic people. Give her a chance to recover,' stated the appeal for funds.
The model faces 'expensive surgery and further rehabilitation'.
Ekaterina's friend Irina Grossman said the model had jumped from the sixth floor 'to save her life and dignity'.
'She survived by a miracle. Her spine is broken, several vertebra were crushed.
'She cannot walk or move by herself, but doctors are giving good forecasts because her spinal chord is intact.'
The man whose nationality has not been confirmed was detained at the airport seeking to flee Dubai, Ekaterina was told. He faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted.
But during interrogation, he made unknown allegations against the model which led also to her being detained in her hospital bed.
The model's friend and mother are raising money by crowdfunding to cover initial £11,000 medical costs in Dubai
Russian channel NTV reported that Ekaterina 'was followed by a rich foreigner' before leaping from the sixth floor of the building
Speaking from her hospital bed, Ekaterina (pictured) recorded a video to reassure her mother
Russian channel NTV reported that Ekaterina 'was followed by a rich foreigner.'
'She refused to be with him. He got angry and attacked Ekaterina, trying to kill her.'
Inge and Irina are raising money by crowdfunding to cover initial £11,000 medical costs in Dubai.
Speaking from her hospital bed, Ekaterina recorded a video to reassure her mother, saying: 'I am doing well, do not worry about me. People from the (Russian) consulate visited, I can get in touch with you.
'My surgery was postponed. We'll see how it goes. All will be fine, do not worry. (Friend's name) has come to see me, all ok. All is fine mummy, I love you. Kisses. I have got everything.
'Nastya's friends visited me yesterday, they are from Dubai, they brought lots of tasty things, I am eating well here. All is fine, kisses.'
Gocha Buachidze, the Russian Counsel in Dubai, said: 'We are thoroughly studying the situation around Russian citizen Ekaterina Stetsyuk and we are providing all necessary support to her. The investigation is in progress.
'The Consulate cannot give any more details of the accident due to the request of the citizen herself.'