Yahoo News Ayia Napa 'rape lie' case: British teen denies making up rape claim against 12 Israeli tourists in Cyprus
A British teenager has denied making false rape allegations against 12 Israeli tourists in Cyprus.
The 19-year-old woman, who appeared in court today, was released on bail after spending nearly two months in prison before the hearing.
The woman pleaded not guilty to a public mischief charge for what prosecutors say was a false claim that she was raped by the Israelis in the holiday resort of Ayia Napa.
Her lawyers have told reporters she says she withdrew her accusation under duress. She faces up to a year in prison and a fine if found guilty.
The judge in the town of Paralimni set the trial for October 2.
The woman had initially accused 12 people of taking part in an alleged gang rape but five were released without charge when no DNA was found to link them to the incident at the Pambos Napa hotel in Ayia Napa.
Cypriot authorities arrested 12 Israelis on July 18 following the rape allegations.
Police provided DNA samples to Israeli authorities to locate three individuals who may have been implicated in the case.
But after the case collapsed, the assistance was no longer necessary.
Three of the men admitted to having sex with the woman and said it was consensual. The others all denied rape.
The woman surrendered her travel documents to police and must appear at a Nicosia police station three times weekly.
She has also been placed on a stop list prohibiting her departure.
Her defence lawyers say investigators used “oppression” to make her retract the rape allegation, something that Cypriot authorities strongly deny.
More to follow...
