The Famagusta court rendered its decision on Monday, clearing the five defendants—aged 19 and 20 and hailing from Majd al-Krum—of two counts of rape, sexual abuse, forced sexual intercourse, sexual harassment, and abduction. The trial, which began in October 2023, focused on a case where the British woman had reported being assaulted by the five men in September 2023.
In delivering the verdict, the three-judge panel highlighted significant contradictions in the woman's account. They noted that her claim of being forcibly taken from a party of 100 people was questionable, with a friend confirming they saw her go upstairs willingly with another individual. The court emphasized that while the woman exhibited signs of intoxication, it did not impair her ability to consent, given she described feeling only “slightly dizzy.”
Furthermore, the court was unconvinced by her assertion that she called for help during the alleged incident, as individuals in an adjacent room reported hearing nothing. The judges also remarked on discrepancies in her statements regarding the number of men involved in the sexual acts, as she initially reported one and then two before identifying five.
Due to these inconsistencies, the judges indicated that the abrasions found on her body could not be definitively linked to the alleged incident, possibly being the result of consensual intercourse. Portions of the trial were conducted in private, reflecting the sensitive nature of the case.
The outcome has generated discussions surrounding consent and the legal proceedings related to sexual assault accusations in Cyprus.
In delivering the verdict, the three-judge panel highlighted significant contradictions in the woman's account. They noted that her claim of being forcibly taken from a party of 100 people was questionable, with a friend confirming they saw her go upstairs willingly with another individual. The court emphasized that while the woman exhibited signs of intoxication, it did not impair her ability to consent, given she described feeling only “slightly dizzy.”
Furthermore, the court was unconvinced by her assertion that she called for help during the alleged incident, as individuals in an adjacent room reported hearing nothing. The judges also remarked on discrepancies in her statements regarding the number of men involved in the sexual acts, as she initially reported one and then two before identifying five.
Due to these inconsistencies, the judges indicated that the abrasions found on her body could not be definitively linked to the alleged incident, possibly being the result of consensual intercourse. Portions of the trial were conducted in private, reflecting the sensitive nature of the case.
The outcome has generated discussions surrounding consent and the legal proceedings related to sexual assault accusations in Cyprus.
