A Cypriot criminal court dismissed all charges against five Israeli men accused of gang-raping a British woman in 2023, citing “fundamental contradictions” in her testimony and casting doubt on her credibility, according to AP News.
The ruling, which prevents retrial on the same charges, concludes a high-profile case that drew parallels to a separate 2019 Ayia Napa gang-rape scandal involving another British teenager.
The court found the woman’s statements contained irreconcilable discrepancies, particularly regarding the identification of her alleged attackers. During closed hearings, judges noted she initially accused three men of rape but later expanded this to five, two of whom were reportedly not in the hotel room at the time. Witness testimony also contradicted her claim that she screamed for help or that others entered the room.
The 20-year-old woman, who admitted consuming alcohol and hallucinogens (MDA and MDMA) before the incident, insisted she felt only “a little dizzy.” While the court acknowledged her intoxication, it ruled the substances did not negate her capacity to consent. All five defendants, aged 19–20 at the time, denied charges of rape, abduction, and sexual assault.
Alleged incident and investigation flaws
The woman alleged that during a pool party at an Ayia Napa hotel in September 2023, one defendant forcibly took her to a room, where others assaulted her. She claimed two men held her down while others raped her, before she escaped to the bathroom and fled. Police arrested the suspects after she identified them in a lineup.
However, the court criticised investigators for failing to address inconsistencies in her account, echoing a recent European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling. Last month, the ECHR found Cypriot authorities mishandled a similar 2019 case involving a British teen who retracted her gang-rape claims under duress, later alleging coerced confession.
The acquittal reignites scrutiny of Cyprus’ handling of sexual violence cases, particularly involving foreign nationals. While the court emphasised the burden of proof lay with prosecutors, advocacy groups warn the ruling risks deterring victims from coming forward.
The case underscores persistent challenges in balancing defendants’ rights with trauma-informed investigations, a tension amplified by Cyprus’ reliance on tourism and its reputation as a Mediterranean party destination. As the defendants return to Israel, the woman’s legal team has yet to indicate whether they will appeal the decision.
