This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-50063685
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Ayia Napa: British teenager accused of false rape claim 'scared for her life' | |
(32 minutes later) | |
A British teenager was "scared for her life" when Cypriot police made her falsely confess to lying about being raped by Israeli tourists, a court has heard. | |
The 19-year-old said she texted her mother from the police station saying: "ASAP. I need help ASAP." | The 19-year-old said she texted her mother from the police station saying: "ASAP. I need help ASAP." |
She is on trial in Cyprus, where she is accused of causing public mischief by allegedly falsely claiming to have been attacked at an Ayia Napa hotel in July. | She is on trial in Cyprus, where she is accused of causing public mischief by allegedly falsely claiming to have been attacked at an Ayia Napa hotel in July. |
She denies the charge. | |
Giving evidence at Famagusta District Court in Paralimni, the woman told the court she was raped but "forced" to retract her statement 10 days later. | Giving evidence at Famagusta District Court in Paralimni, the woman told the court she was raped but "forced" to retract her statement 10 days later. |
Twelve young Israelis were arrested in connection with the allegations but were later released and returned home. | Twelve young Israelis were arrested in connection with the allegations but were later released and returned home. |
The woman's defence team said she was forced to sign the retraction under duress, threatened with arrest and denied access to a lawyer - which police deny. | The woman's defence team said she was forced to sign the retraction under duress, threatened with arrest and denied access to a lawyer - which police deny. |
The woman said Cypriot investigators, led by Detective Sergeant Marios Christou, told her police had obtained videos which showed she had consensual group sex. | The woman said Cypriot investigators, led by Detective Sergeant Marios Christou, told her police had obtained videos which showed she had consensual group sex. |
"I asked to see the videos because I didn't know they existed," she said. | "I asked to see the videos because I didn't know they existed," she said. |
"He said that wasn't possible but he had studied them and it was very clear there was no rape." | "He said that wasn't possible but he had studied them and it was very clear there was no rape." |
"He threatened to arrest [my friend] and take her for conspiracy and he said that, because of all these so-called videos, he was going to arrest me If I didn't say that I had lied and that I would not see my mum until I was in handcuffs in a court," she said. | "He threatened to arrest [my friend] and take her for conspiracy and he said that, because of all these so-called videos, he was going to arrest me If I didn't say that I had lied and that I would not see my mum until I was in handcuffs in a court," she said. |
"I was messaging my mum, I was messaging my friends, saying, 'They are forcing me to sign these false statements. I need help.' | "I was messaging my mum, I was messaging my friends, saying, 'They are forcing me to sign these false statements. I need help.' |
"I said I was really scared because I didn't think I would leave that police station without signing that statement," she continued. | "I said I was really scared because I didn't think I would leave that police station without signing that statement," she continued. |
"I told my friend that I was scared for my life." | "I told my friend that I was scared for my life." |
'Embarrassed and insulted' | 'Embarrassed and insulted' |
The court was read a string of text and Snapchat messages the woman sent as she hid her phone from police. A Snapchat message to her friend said: "They wouldn't let me talk to anyone. | The court was read a string of text and Snapchat messages the woman sent as she hid her phone from police. A Snapchat message to her friend said: "They wouldn't let me talk to anyone. |
"I said I have a right to a lawyer here they said not in Cyprus. | "I said I have a right to a lawyer here they said not in Cyprus. |
"Maybe in the UK not in Cyprus. | "Maybe in the UK not in Cyprus. |
"They've honestly made me sign false statements." | "They've honestly made me sign false statements." |
The court heard the woman signed a retraction statement just before 02:00 local time - eight hours after she was picked up by police from her hotel on 27 July. | The court heard the woman signed a retraction statement just before 02:00 local time - eight hours after she was picked up by police from her hotel on 27 July. |
Giving evidence, Det Sgt Christou denied pressuring her. | Giving evidence, Det Sgt Christou denied pressuring her. |
He said he began suspecting she had lied about the rape after spotting inconsistencies between her first and second statements. | He said he began suspecting she had lied about the rape after spotting inconsistencies between her first and second statements. |
He said that, when he raised his suspicions and put forward potential reasons why she might have made up the allegations, she said: "Because they were videoing me, I felt embarrassed and insulted." | He said that, when he raised his suspicions and put forward potential reasons why she might have made up the allegations, she said: "Because they were videoing me, I felt embarrassed and insulted." |
The woman could face a year in jail and a fine of €1,700 (about £1,500) if found guilty. | The woman could face a year in jail and a fine of €1,700 (about £1,500) if found guilty. |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |
Previous version
1
Next version