Five Israeli men have been acquitted of charges related to the alleged gang rape of a 20-year-old British tourist in a Cyprus court. The Famagusta criminal court ruled Monday that the defendants, aged 19 to 20, were not guilty of two counts of rape and several other accusations, including sexual abuse and abduction.
The British woman reported the attack to authorities in September 2023, claiming she was assaulted by the five men during a party in Ayia Napa. Throughout the trial, which commenced in October 2023, the defendants maintained their innocence.
The panel of three judges expressed doubt regarding the woman’s credibility, citing inconsistencies in her account, particularly regarding the identification of the accused. They pointed out that her claims of being dragged away from a busy party lacked substantiation, as a friend claimed to have seen her go upstairs willingly with another individual.
While lab results indicated that the woman had been under the influence of alcohol and narcotics during the incident, the court concluded that her level of intoxication did not prevent her from consenting to sex. Furthermore, witnesses from an adjacent room reported hearing no cries for help, questioning the validity of her allegations.
The judges also noted discrepancies in the woman’s statements to police about the number of men involved, which contributed to their decision. Parts of the trial were conducted privately, highlighting the sensitive nature of the case and its implications.
