Rape ‘streamed live on the internet’: teenager accused of using Periscope app to broadcast assault on friend

An Ohio teenager has been accused of livestreaming the alleged rape of her 17-year-old friend using the social media app Periscope.

Marina Lonina, 18, was socialising with the 17-year-old and 29-year-old Raymond Gates at a residence in Columbus, Ohio, on February 27, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said, according to NBC affiliate WCMH-TV.

At some point, O’Brien said, Gates began to sexually assault the 17-year-old and, in response, Lonina began livestreaming the violence using Periscope, according to the station.

A night earlier, O’Brien noted, Lonina had also taken an illicit photo of the girl at Lonina’s house.

O’Brien said authorities became aware of the alleged assault when a friend of the victim saw the images and alerted police.

Lonina and Gates were both indicted by a grand jury on Wednesday, and Gates is due in court for arraignment on Friday.