Gang rape case in Spain

[Copperkettles]

I've only just learnt about this from a post in 'Our Shared Shelf' on Goodreads. The post reads

'7 July 2016 - an 18yo girl from Madrid was gang-raped by 5 Spanish men in Pamplona during the running of the bulls festival.
These men talked and joked about the idea of it beforehand on their WhatsApp group; they orally, vaginally and anally penetrated the girl for 15 minutes whilst taking several videos of it, then shared at least 7 of them them on WhatsApp, stole her phone and left her there.
This week the trial has been taking place and will finish next Monday 27th November, with an open hearing of the closing statements.
So far, the judge has not accepted the texts sent on WhatsApp by the men before arriving to Pamplona or the fact that a month before these same men sexually assaulted another woman as evidence.
However, the judge has accepted evidence for the defence who claim that it was consensual. The notes taken by a private detective who has been following the girl on the streets and also accepted photos taken from her Instagram partying a year after the rape, as she "clearly" hasn't been traumatised by it.'

You can read more here here

I know lots of foreign news doesn't get reported here but I've heard nothing about this case before now

Good grief, how horrid! Trial still in progress, I see.

I hadn't heard of it either, but as you say, common for news not be well-reported outside the country.

It seems the UK Telegraph did cover it at the time: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/07/five-arrested-over-sex-assault-at-pamplona-bull-running-festival/

And there was slightly better news in a follow up in the Guardian this year:
Dramatic fall in sexual assaults at Pamplona bull run after campaign
No reports of rape at this year’s festival, although women’s groups say action still needed against sexist slogans
www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/12/dramatic-fall-in-sexual-assaults-at-pamplona-bull-run-after-campaign

But bloody hell. When it's news that there were no rapes this year... I had no idea this was such an issue at the bull run.

How absolutely horrific.

I'd just like to say to that woman, though I know she'll never read it, I believe you

I imagine that the bull running is a testosterone-fuelled drunken nightmare

I don't understand how the WhatsApp messages can be discounted seeing as they clearly form evidence that the attack was premeditated.

Whenever I see judges ruling things like this out (or making pronouncements about the "shared culpability" of child rape victims) it just makes me think I bet he does the same in his private life - he's just looking after men like him.

Good grief, what an appalling story. I hope there is justice for the victim, although it doesn't seem likely at the moment.

oneflewover

I completely agree with you, i feel the same way about some judges comments

And those who defend men accused of raping someone virtually comatose

And those who felt that the footballer, who took the young woman to the hotel, was not doing anything wrong

Absolutely horrific. Thank goodness that the police officers seem to believe her. I cannot believe that they won’t analyse the social media of the perpetrators but they will of the victim.

I mean seriously, why the fuck would she make it up?

From the Mirror:
Women are even being issued with maps showing "danger hotspots" and warned to stay away from archways and the historic walls.

That this is even necessary.... FFS!

www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42149912

New BBC article - the judge allowed character testimony (assassination to call it what it is) of the victim.

Actual evidence of the men planning rape was dismissed.

How is this even real?

Ah ok, the original OP already contained much of the same information. Saw it was from a week ago and thought it was updated.

But point remains. This shouldn't be real.

I wonder if they'd plotted and carried out a bomb attack at the festival would the Whatsapp messages be admissible?

This is awful. I believe her too

This is awful. Si they haven't reached a verdict yet?

horrible. Wonder what the reason is for the WhatsApp being not admissable?

Thanks for the BBC link, MrGHardy, which confirms the judge still hasn't allowed the WhatsApp evidence and the final hearing has now been held. I'd held out a tiny bit of hope that he'd change his mind.

This is despicable.

“New BBC article - the judge allowed character testimony (assassination to call it what it is) of the victim.

Actual evidence of the men planning rape was dismissed.

How is this even real?”

This! ^

Literally shocking! I’d be questioning the judge’s ability and sanity. And also thinking it’s suspicious he has so much empathy for the rapists... no sane or decent person can think this is excusable in any way.