LONDON- On Sunday, British foreign minister Dominic Raab raised concerns with his Cypriot counterpart on the treatment of the British woman who was found guilty of lying about being gang-raped by Israeli youths in a Cyprus court.
The woman, who was aged 19 at the time, alleged being sexually assaulted by 12 Israeli teenagers and the district court ruled that she had lied about the July gang-rape in Ayia Napa holiday resort. She will now face up to one year in jail.
Raab said that he had very serious concerns regarding her treatment. He states that there are questions about the process and fair trials which have been raised with his Cypriot counterpart.
The woman’s arrest came after she withdrew the accusation that the 12 Israeli teenagers raped her in the hotel room.
The woman, who remains unnamed for legal reasons, maintained that she recanted her accusation under police duress, on persistent questioning without the presence of a lawyer. The justification was dismissed by the prosecutors and the court.
Raab said that his and the woman’s family’s first priority remains to see her release, return home to safety in the UK where she can recover.
Raab has spoken to the woman’s mother who requested holidaymakers to boycott Cyprus. Raab, however, said that the foreign office always keeps their travel advice under review.
He stated that concerns have been registered in crystal clear terms. Considering that Cypriots are sensitive to any political interference in the case, they are encouraged to do the right thing in the right way.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.
