Ayia Napa, Cyprus – A court in Cyprus has extended the detention of five Israeli nationals for an additional six days following allegations made by a British woman who accused them of gang-raping her in a hotel room during a pool party in the coastal resort town of Ayia Napa.
Famagusta District Court Judge Petros Theophilou determined that there is “reasonable suspicion” that the Israeli individuals may be connected to the case. Consequently, their detention has been extended to allow the police sufficient time to gather additional evidence, including examining their cellphones for any potential video or images related to the incident.
The suspects, comprising three 19-year-olds and two 20-year-olds, are expected to face charges including rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and abduction during their next court appearance.
Yiannis Habaris, an attorney representing three of the defendants, and lawyers from the firm Gabriel Kaimakliotis, representing the remaining two, indicated no objections to the renewal of remand.
Notably, two of the suspects were not present in the courtroom due to isolation as they are recovering from COVID-19, as confirmed by their legal representatives.
During the court proceedings, police investigator Andreas Nikolettis provided details of the incident based on the 20-year-old British woman’s statement to the authorities. The woman alleged that one of the five Israelis forcibly took her to his room after seizing her hand while she was socializing with friends by the hotel pool on September 3.
According to the woman’s account to the police, the Israeli individual attempted to remove her bathing suit despite her pleas to be allowed to leave. Subsequently, the other suspects entered the room. One of them engaged in sexual intercourse against her will, while another compelled her to perform oral sex. Two of the suspects held her down on the bed.
The woman reported that one of the suspects also held her against the wall and engaged in intercourse with her. At a certain point, she managed to lock herself in the bathroom and called for assistance. She escaped the room by pushing aside the suspects and reunited with her friends, who accompanied her to report the rape to the police.
Nikolettis revealed that the woman was in a “bad psychological state” when she identified the five suspects in a lineup. Furthermore, he stated that the suspects were discovered attempting to clean bloodstains on the hotel room floor using bed sheets.
A friend of the woman testified that he observed her leaving the pool area with one of the Israelis but did not witness any use of force by the suspect.
Two of the suspects admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse and oral sex with the woman but contended that it was consensual and denied rape allegations. The other three suspects denied any sexual contact with the woman.
Notably, there were no closed-circuit television cameras installed at the hotel.
Approximately a dozen friends and relatives of the suspects were present in the courtroom during the hearing.
Ayia Napa is a favored destination for young tourists from various European countries who come to enjoy its vibrant nightlife, numerous nightclubs, bars, white-sand beaches, and lively atmosphere.
