Rape claim trial postponed, defendant asks to be represented by British lawyer

The trial of a 19 year old British woman who faces a charge of public mischief for making a false claim allegation was on Monday postponed until August 27.

The 19 year old appeared before Famagusta district court represented by lawyer Nicoletta Charlambidou who told the court that her client wanted to be represented by a British lawyer during the proceedings.

She said a letter has been set to the attorney general to this effect and a reply was pending.

Judge  Tonia Nicolaou adjourned the hearing until 9 am on August 27. The woman remains in police custody until then.

The teen’s first lawyer withdrew from the case earlier this month citing a serious disagreement with her family and his client.

The woman — who is accused of falsely claiming she had been raped by 12 Israelis in a hotel room in Ayia Napa — has not yet entered a plea.

The 12 Israelis have all been released and have returned to Israel.

Her family and Justice Abroad argue that she was coerced by police into retracting her initial statement that she had been raped and have  launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover her legal fees.

As of Monday morning, the campaign had raised £22,500 from 510 donors, a number of them from Israel.

Launched on August 8, the campaign — ‘Help teen victim get justice in Cyprus’  has a £50,000 target. The target was  initially £15,000.

The go fund me page says: In the early hours of Sunday the 28th of July 2019, following a week of traumatic events, our daughter was arrested for allegedly making a false allegation of rape in Cyprus and is currently being detained in prison awaiting trial.

‘We maintain that the statement was given under duress and in breach of her rights, resulting in the collapse of the initial investigation and charges of public mischief being made against her.

‘She is alone in a prison abroad after an awful series of events, we just want to bring her home. ‘We are seeking funds to pay for the required legal representation in Cyprus.

‘The organisation Justice Abroad has already been providing assistance within the UK. They are bringing together an expert legal team, from both the UK and Cyprus, to challenge the many breaches of her rights and require funds to do so.’

Read more

https://in-cyprus.com/family-of-british-teen-facing-public-mischief-charge-thanks-donors-desire-for-fairness-and-justice/