The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Cypriot authorities mishandled the investigation into a British woman’s case involving a gang rape. The woman, who was 19 years old at the time, had initially reported being raped in Ayia Napa in July 2019, but later retracted her statement after being detained without legal representation. The Court found that the Cypriot authorities did not effectively investigate the woman’s complaint and failed to take a victim-sensitive approach.
As a result of the mishandling of the case, the European Court of Human Rights has awarded the woman from Derbyshire €20,000 in damages and €5,000 in costs. This decision comes after the woman’s conviction for allegedly lying about the gang rape was overturned. The Court highlighted the authorities’ failure to properly investigate the rape allegation and their lack of sensitivity towards the victim throughout the process.
The British woman’s case has sparked international attention and raised concerns about the treatment of sexual assault victims within the Cypriot justice system. The European Court of Human Rights’ ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of conducting thorough and victim-centered investigations in cases of sexual violence to ensure justice for survivors. The woman’s ordeal has shed light on the need for reform and improvement in how such cases are handled in Cyprus and beyond.
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