UPDATE: The driver has been released; district prosecutors say they are not charging Trabelsi with the alleged assault.
Original Story: A driver associated with
Anouar Habib Trabelsi, a limo driver from Alexandria, Virginia who used Uber's technology, allegedly raped a 20-year-old after he dropped her off at her home on December 8.
According to a court document, the woman was asked if she had "ever dated a Moroccan man" and when she didn't respond, "the driver kept trying to make small talk." She then paid $36 for her ride; her receipt says she was dropped off at 2:33 in the morning.
Trabelsi allegedly followed her down the driveway and grabbed her by the arm which knocked her over. The document claims he then kissed and raped her.
Trabelsi was arrested Tuesday; he's being charged with one count of first-degree sexual abuse, police told The Washington Post.
An Uber spokesperson says Trabelsi has not worked with the startup since it learned of the incident.
"Immediately upon being told that a driver for Capitol Limo, a limo company utilizing Uber technology, was suspected of committing a crime, we deactivated the partner account. He has not done a single ride through Uber since then,” Uber's D.C. general manager Rachel Holt said in a statement.
Holt also says Uber has worked closely with the police to investigate the situation.
"The safety of our users is absolutely paramount, and we will continue to be vigilant that riders’ safety and security are protected,” she said.
Trabelsi is married, and his wife maintains her husband's innocence. "He did nothing wrong. It’s an unfortunate situation,” she tells The Washington Post.