Five Israeli men have gone on trial in Famagusta, Cyprus accused of the rape of a 20-year-old British woman last month. The incident allegedly occurred at a hotel in Ayia Napa. The defendants, who come from Majd al-Krum in Israel and are aged 19 or 20, have denied the charges.
A packed courtroom was filled with the defendants’ relatives, who had turned up in a show of support. During the hearing, some of the defendants’ lawyers complained that they had not yet seen key evidence, including the DNA report. One lawyer claimed that the report might show his clients were not in the room at the time of the alleged attack on 3 September. The state prosecutor said the DNA report would be ready by the end of the day.
The defendants’ families rushed to embrace them after the adjournment, with one of the men visibly crying as he hugged his mother. The trial is set to resume on 16 October. A former Cypriot MP, Skevi Koukouma, was also present at the hearing, along with members of the women’s movement Pogo. Koukouma stated that they were there to send a message that “victims should feel they can speak out and can be believed”. “They are not alone”, she added.
When the Israeli men were arrested over the alleged attack, Israel’s foreign ministry stated that six citizens were being held. It isn’t clear whether charges will be brought against the sixth person or not
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