Ayia Napa ‘rape lie’ judge blasted for victim-blaming girl, 19, after he doubled down on ’serious crime’ claim
THE judge who found a Brit teen guilty of lying about being raped in Ayia Napa has been blasted for victim-blaming after he doubled down on his “serious crime” claim.
The unidentified 19-year-old was given a suspended sentence today after being convicted of making false claims about being raped by 12 Israelis.
The British Government has said it was “seriously concerned” about the conviction, and the judge in the case has been blasted by anti-rape protesters.
Speaking at sentencing, Judge Papathanasiou said: "Public mischief is a serious crime which distracts authorities from their civil duties and causes distress to innocent people.
"What she did was very serious. Twelve young people were arrested and deprived of their liberty for ten days."
Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Famagusta District Court in Paralimni, Cyprus this morning in a show of support for the woman.
Supporters from Israel and Cyprus could be heard chanting "Stop blaming the victim", "You are not alone", and "Mr Judge shame on you, don't you have a daughter too?"
Yesterday also saw more than 100 protesters gather outside the Cypriot high commission in London.
GOING HOME
The teen, whose mother said today she was "relieved", was given a four-month suspended jail term and fined €148 (£126).
Her prison sentence will be suspended for three years.
The judge said he was taking into account the woman's age, psychological state, and that she had been in Cyprus for six months, while giving her a "second chance".
The woman was last week convicted of public mischief after withdrawing a claim that she had been raped in a hotel room in July.
She later said Cyprus police had coerced her into recanting the original claim, something police have denied.
'FIGHT GOES ON'
The woman was seen hugging her mum and legal team as her sentence was announced.
Speaking outside the court, the woman's lawyer, Lewis Power QC, said the sentence imposed would allow her to go home, but that "the fight for her innocence will go on regardless".
He said she had gone "overnight from being victim to being the accused" and "having to endure not only the dreadful physical violation of a pre-meditated gang rape and serious sexual assault perpetrated upon her but also the prolonged mental ordeal under the judicial process in Cyprus."
He added that she had been "diagnosed with severe PTSD and this case has resulted in the deterioration of her mental health."
He said the family would be seeking an expedited appeal of the woman's conviction at the Supreme Court of Cyprus and would also consider going to the European Court of Human Rights.
The teen's mother also expressed gratitude for an intervention by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
"I spoke with him and he was very supportive. I am grateful to the Foreign Office," she said.
Mr Raab had earlier said he had "very serious concerns" about the woman's treatment in Cyprus and urged authorities there to "do the right thing".
Israeli footballer Shimon Yusufov, 19, has admitted consensual sex with the teen but denied allowing his friends to attack her.
Representing him, lawyer Nir Yaslovitzh told The Sun: "We respect the decision of the judge and accept the sentence.
"What is important for us is that the judge found her guilty. The important thing is we hope the girl learns her lesson from all this."
PRESIDENT KEEPING 'FULLY BRIEFED'
The teen, from Derbyshire, faced up to a year in jail and a £1,500 fine after her conviction.
She spoke to The Sun ahead of sentencing about the prospect she would be given a pardon by the President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades.
She told The Sun: “It’s good news and gives me hope I might go home but I am still so apprehensive how things will go.
“I am scared I will get a custodial sentence, but know I have done nothing wrong and am devoted to carrying on fighting.”
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It is not yet clear whether Cypriot authorities will still consider pardoning the woman from her suspended sentence.
Her mum earlier told The Sun: “We are aware of these reports and getting the legal team to check to see what it means.
“She is innocent. The whole family is terrified of the prospect of her going to prison.”
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