(Image source from: yahya4congress.com)

A decade-old accusation of sexual assault against Arizona Congressional candidate Yahya Yuksel has rocked the huddled Democratic primary for a Tucson-based congressional district.

A 28-year-old Yahya Yuksel is facing calls to discontinue his political campaign after the Arizona Daily Star reported over allegations that he raped an intoxicated 16-year-old girl when he was 17-year-old.

The report in a newspaper said Yuksel, was never charged or arrested, and the individual did not press charges.

The Pima County Democratic Party took an exceptional move of retreating assistance from Yuksel. He was disinvited from a candidate forum. Yet, he is not dropping out the race.

Yuksel said on Friday that he did not sexually assault the individual, but he profoundly regrets being intoxicated and having a sexual activity that night. He says he wants to work to educate teenagers regarding the perils of mixing alcohol and sexual activity.

By Sowmya Sangam