Cyprus ‘false rape claim’: British teenager pleads not guilty to lying about attack
Written by News on 27/08/2019
A British teenager has appeared in court to deny making a false rape claim against 12 Israeli tourists in Cyprus.
The 19-year-old woman had been in police detention on a public mischief charge for more than a month before the hearing, after reporting she was raped by 12 males at an Ayia Napa holiday resort.
A trial is now set to start on 2 October, and the accused teenager has been released on bail after the judge deemed it “proper and fair” to do so following her detention.
The woman surrendered her travel documents and must appear at a Nicosia police station three times a week.
She has paid bail of 5,000 euros (around £4,500) in cash, while her father, who was present in court, guaranteed a bond of 15,000 euros (£13,600).
She has also been placed on a stop list, which prevents her leaving the country.
The woman made the initial report to police on 17 July.
Her allegations were later retracted, but the Justice Abroad group, which is assisting her, says she was forced into the confession.
Lawyers representing her claim investigators used “oppression” to make her retract her allegations. Cypriot authorities strongly deny the accusation.
The Israelis were initially detained but later released without charge. They denied the allegations against them and have since returned home.
The charge the teenager faces carries a maximum penalty of a year imprisonment or a fine.
(c) Sky News 2019: Cyprus ‘false rape claim’: British teenager pleads not guilty to lying about attack
