Cyprus is no longer a safe place for (young, single) women to holiday?

[Kraai]

The teen went back to her ONS's room for consensual sex. When there, 11 of his mates burst in and filmed while three of them then raped her. She went to the police and reported it. They were detained. They said it was consensual and was "with love" (I kid you not!). She was interviewed at length with no legal representation and the police decided she was lying. She was then charged with the crime of making up a crime and has been unable to come home since the summer. The guys were all allowed to return to Israel where some of them have since said things indicating she wasn't lying at all and I'm pretty sure the video was shared (from memory, which may be wrong). She's had psychological evaluation saying she's suffering badly from PTSD.

It's worth noting that the Cyprus is a very popular destination for young Israelis to let off steam before they start national service and there's a strong political tie between the two.

So, AIBU to say that Cyprus is no longer a safe destination for young woman? If the worst happens to you and you report it and the police think you're not a credible witness, YOU will end up in jail. Knowing how traumatic reporting something like a stolen wallet in a foreign police station can be, the idea that a woman would be interviewed without legal representation in a state of severe distress, however that manifests, and then not believed and charged means that men have been given free rein to rape in Cyprus. Especially if it's in a potential "grey zone".

https://www.bbc.com/news/videoandd_audio/headlines/50944483/cyprus-rape-claim-case-it-s-a-very-worrying-conviction

So you have no issues with the massive flaws in the legal process she has been subjected to?

Well ok.

but if she is, those giving money might want to pause and think what exactly they're funding

They're funding the right to a fair trial and associated costs. Everyone is entitled to that, whether we want them to or not.

If that was for me, Fraggling, I'm afraid I don't have the legal knowledge to judge the conduct of the investigation and trial properly ... though it's interesting that several PPs post as if they do

Or do they ... ?

I would like to say, as a middle aged woman, that calling women 'dear' is patronising crap, and intended to be. I would think most people know that.

So you disagree with the UK foreign office who have 'serious concerns'.

Yes gotcha.

These nasty girls really are very good at pulling the wool over people's eyes. Thank God the Cyprus legal system is less credulous. To the extent of refusing to hear any evidence to show she was raped, which would only muddy the waters.

Good for them.

I hope tourists vote with their feet.

Have you joined this forum specifically to post on this thread or have you namechanged middleagedlady?
What an interesting name you have chosen for yourself.

A real laydee don't you know.

So you disagree with the UK foreign office who have 'serious concerns'.

Not at all, but for me the FCO's reported comment about being "seriously concerned about the fair trial guarantees ..." suggest a need for further enquiry into what's happened rather than pitchfork-waving and cries of "boycott Cyprus!!"

As said, I simply don't have the legal knowledge needed to hold a firm view - and FWIW I doubt most on this thread have much either

The crowd funder is for a legal appeal.

Your comment about this is 'but if she is, those giving money might want to pause and think what exactly they're funding'.

Awesome. Legal appeals are designed for nefarious means by evil people who don't respect the law.

If you don't know what happened I'd think concerns about due process would be paramount to you.

Funny that.

@puzzledandpissedoff - this is a clear summary of why the defence don't believe she had a fair trial: www.justiceabroad.co.uk/news/defence-to-appeal-after-teenager-found-guilty-of-public-mischief-after-reporting-group-rape-in-cyprus

MiddleAgedLady just be careful if you go to Cyprus for your holiday that you don't become a victim of crime. You could end up in jail! A country willing to jail a teenage woman won't have any qualms jailing a middle aged one.

The crowd funder is for a legal appeal.

allegedly

Not sure why some people blindly believe anything and run for it.

This crowdfund will be administered without charge by a UK lawyer, John Hobbs, who will allocate the fund as required to appropriate costs directly related to defence of the public mischief charge.

It appears to be properly set up and administered.

'The crowd funder is for a legal appeal.

allegedly'

Ha ha more and more desperate. Women! Stop donating! A random on the internet doesn't like it!

I like the way lots of people come on here saying 'can't believe x, y and z' and then demonstrate that actually, they've done no reading or research so have no idea what they're talking about.

Just donated. The family have a plan:

"We are seeking funds to pay for the required legal representation in Cyprus. The organisation Justice Abroad has already been providing assistance within the UK. They are bringing together an expert legal team, from both the UK and Cyprus, to challenge the many breaches of her rights and require funds to do so.

This crowdfund will be administered without charge by a UK lawyer, John Hobbs, who will allocate the fund as required to appropriate costs directly related to defence of the public mischief charge. The crowdfund is being carried out in this way to protect the anonymity of our daughter who we believe to be the victim in this case. Any assistance possible to achieve justice would be gratefully received and any excess funds will be allocated to related women’s rights and legal charities at the end of the case."

allegedly

Well they won't be raising funds for a boozy holiday will they?

Funny how people that "don't know what happened" , "can't possibly understand the legalese" and "this doesn't add up" at the same time know it wasn't rape, know there was no miscarriage of justice and know the crowdfunding is dodgy.

Well perhaps we should boyot Felixstowe because i don,t think they ever foud the murderer to this poor girl murdered there a decade a go. Or Norwich because of the prostutes who were murdered in the 90,s again not sure if it was ever resolved. Wheather there is guilt or innocence is hard to tell in this cypriot case and the right systems weren,t followed, but lets not boycot the whole Island.

Its how people operate now, kirinm, 'I know absolutely nothing about this but believe my opinion is as valid as everybody elses'- it isnt.

but lets not boycot the whole Island.

Why not? Without using whataboutery.

june you're missing the point. The Cypriot justice system is badly letting this girl down. Of course awful things happen everywhere but one would hope not to be jailed for being the victim of a violent crime.

Well perhaps we should boyot Felixstowe because i don,t think they ever foud the murderer to this poor girl murdered there a decade a go.

That's obviously completely different. An accurate analogy between the Felixstowe case and the Cyprus case would be if the police hadn't only failed to find the murderers but then charged her parents with making a false accusation of murder.