Filenews 20 September 2023 - by Natasha Christoforou
The process of detaining 5 Israelis accused of gang-raping a 20-year-old British woman in a hotel room in Ayia Napa on September 3 is underway.
The defendants were indicted on Monday, September 18, with a very serious indictment, in a direct trial before the Famagusta Permanent Assize Court in Paralimni, which will meet on October 5. On th3 18 September, the Court had ordered their detention for 24 hours in order to decide the following day whether to grant the Prosecution's request for their detention until trial.
The next day, the court announced that its decision would be handed down on Wednesday. However, when the parties appeared before the Court today, they were again informed that the Court reserved its decision for tomorrow. It is noted that, according to information provided by Philenews, the reasons for the new postponement were not announced.
The five Israelis are charged with rape, sexual abuse by penetration, copulation by force, coercion or other acts of sexual nature, indecent assault on a woman, sexual harassment and kidnapping. It is recalled that injuries and bruises were found on the girl's body, a fact that has been recorded in the forensic report. In the Israelis' room, traces of blood were found that were sent for scientific examinations, along with the girl's clothes and sheets taken from the scene. The five Israelis deny raping the girl, with one of them claiming consensual sex with her.
The 20-year-old British woman reported being gang-raped on Sunday, September 3. She told police she went to the hotel where the suspects were staying because she was invited to a pool party. According to her complaint, while she was at the venue, she was approached by an unknown person, who was Israeli, and began flirting with her. The suspect then allegedly grabbed her by the arm and forcibly led her to the room she was staying in with other compatriots. There, the 20-year-old claimed, she was raped successively by other people.
