NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The director of Disney’s exclusive Castaway Cay cruise ship island has been charged with raping an American woman on a beach at the resort, authorities confirmed Thursday.
Gursel Sahibas, 65, faces rape and indecent assault charges after allegedly attacking a 29-year-old American woman during a swim at the shipwreck-themed resort on September 22. The victim, a Florida resident, reported to Bahamian officials one week after returning home from the alleged assault.
According to sources familiar with the case, the woman repeatedly asked Sahibas to stop during the incident, but the married director allegedly continued to grope her while they were in the ocean. Her written complaint was forwarded to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, leading to Sahibas’ arrest by officers from Great Abaco, the nearest island to the 1,000-acre private resort.
Sahibas appeared in Nassau Supreme Court Thursday morning, where Judge Petra Hanna granted him $15,000 cash bail and ordered him to have no contact with the victim. His attorney, Tamika Roberts, told the court that Sahibas is a British national who wishes to return to his home in Liverpool, England.
“As it relates to Castaway Cay, due to the allegations he has since lost his job. He is no longer employed at Disney Cruise line,” Roberts said during the hearing.
The judge approved Sahibas’ travel request but mandated his return to the Bahamas for a January 21 hearing. Sahibas, wearing a white shirt and black pants and flanked by family members, left the courthouse without comment.
Castaway Cay, formerly known as Gorda Cay, was leased by Disney from the Bahamian government on a 99-year agreement. The company invested approximately $25 million transforming the undeveloped island into an exclusive stop for cruise ship guests, complete with snorkeling trails, adult-only beaches, and Pirates of the Caribbean-themed activities.
The tropical island is home to around 140 employees and features its own post office and private airstrip. Sahibas was featured in a May 5 article in the Nassau Guardian, where he was introduced as Castaway Cay’s island director while volunteering with Abaco schoolchildren on sustainable agriculture projects.
“We were amazed to see the students’ enthusiasm and knowledge about their crops. It was inspiring to see their eagerness to learn and make an impact in the world around them,” Sahibas told the outlet at the time.
The U.S. State Department currently rates the Bahamas as a Level 2 risk for American tourists, advising travelers to exercise increased caution. A March 31 advisory warned that violent crime, including armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaults, can occur anywhere in the country.
“Sexual assaults have occurred on and near downtown Nassau beaches. Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert in public restrooms,” the notice stated. The advisory also mentioned a recent spate of sexual assaults reportedly involving jet ski operators.
Disney did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication.
The arrest comes during a difficult month for Disney’s Florida operations, which experienced three deaths at its resorts in a 10-day span in October. The incidents included two suspected suicides at the Contemporary Resort and a medical episode at the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.
