Cyprus woman accused of fabricating gang rape claims acquitted

[ArabellaScott]

Small ray of sunshine in what was an horrific and shockingly handled case. I hope she is able to start to heal.

www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/31/uk-woman-accused-making-up-cyprus-gang-claims-conviction-quashed

BBC article: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-60172176

'Cypriot lawyer Nicoletta Charalambidou, who is part of the legal team, said: "This is a very important day for women's rights and in particular for victims of rape or other forms of sexual violence in Cyprus.

"The acquittal by the Supreme Court... points to the failure of the authorities to effectively investigate the rape claims she reported. This is what we will now pursue."'

It’s about time

I remember when it was first said, and everyone believed the poor woman and was disgusted by the Cypriot Police. I hope they convict the rapists but since they are back in their own country, I very much doubt they will

I hope the investigate the police too and give them a full on bollocking for being useless

This is good news. What a brave young woman.

So pleased to read this.

I’m sickened to see there are still people who are convinced she’s lying. Funnily enough it’s men

They said she agreed and she should be jailed

This is good news

Good. I always believed her.

Wonderful news. Well, relatively speaking, obviously. Was so pleased to hear this, at least that’s one horrific miscarriage of justice overturned.

I wonder what chance they’ve got of prosecuting the (alleged, I know) rapists now they’re back in Israel?

About time
This was a sickening case

I remember those young men were treated as heros when they returned home. I hope at the very least they can now be named and shamed.

That poor woman, I remember the jubilant scenes at the airport when those Israeli rapists arrived home and the chants of the ‘Brit’s a whore.’
Absolutely vile.

@3peassuit

I remember those young men were treated as heros when they returned home. I hope at the very least they can now be named and shamed.

They were indeed, and it was sickening - but let’s remember there was also a group of Israeli women who flew to Cyprus expressly to show their support for the victim when she was on trial, and their disgust at their countrymen’s (alleged) actions. They believed her, 100%. It was real sisterhood and solidarity, and just about the only ray of light in this whole horrific story till now.

I'm very glad for her that this verdict was quashed, it was a horrific thing to do to an already traumatised woman. And to women/girls more generally in Cyprus, who I'm sure were quite clear what message was being sent to any one of them who had the temerity to report a rape to the police.

So glad to hear this news. And yes, I remember the Israeli women who supported her.

There were Cypriot and Israeli and UK women supporting her.

Yes, I hope she gets strength from that.

The message was sent though.

Most women and girls are not going to want to be dragged through the same brouhaha. The process seems gruesome.

Unfortunately I think we'll still need a few more courageous girls before the spell is completely broken and that just brings sadness to my heart.

Awful, awful case. How on earth do you recover from something like this? I'm interested to see what happens next in terms of justice being handed out to the perpetrators.

It's hard to parse from the lawyer's statement, but I think it's more about challenging the Cyprus police procedures and actions.

'"The acquittal by the Supreme Court... points to the failure of the authorities to effectively investigate the rape claims she reported. This is what we will now pursue."''

et’s remember there was also a group of Israeli women who flew to Cyprus expressly to show their support for the victim when she was on trial, and their disgust at their countrymen’s (alleged) actions. They believed her, 100%. It was real sisterhood and solidarity, and just about the only ray of light in this whole horrific story till now.

I didn't know that and it's rather heartening.

What an utter relief.

I actually paused the news when this came on to explain the whole story to my ds, and to remind Dh. I felt it was really important for them both to understand and acknowledge the horrific situation this poor woman has been in.

So pleased to see this. She was treated abysmally with the men involved being literally given a free pass and ticket home. I do hope that she gets some comfort from this and from the massive support she got from so many.