Brit teen, 19, arrives at Cyprus airport for flight to UK after suspended sentence for Ayia Napa ‘gang-rape’ claim
A BRIT teen convicted of lying about a gang raped in Cyprus was tonight fly home to the UK.
The 19-year-old arrived at Larnaca airport hours after she was handed a four-month suspended jail term - ending her six months trapped on the island.
Last month she was found guilty of making a false rape claim against 12 Israeli men in Ayia Napa, but claims cops coerced her to retract her allegations.
She was sentenced today amid reports that she would be granted a pardon by the Cypriot president and freed even if the judge sent her to jail.
The teen, whose jail term will be suspended for three years, was also handed a fine of €148 (£126).
Her mother said she was "relieved" and shouted "she's coming home" as the family left court and vowed to clear her name.
The judge in the case, Michaelis Papathanasiou, said he was taking into account the woman's age, psychological state, and that she had been in Cyprus for six months.
He told the court he was giving her a "second chance".
At Larnaca airport, she was mobbed by supporters who had earlier chanted for her release outside the court room.
'THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER'
The girl’s mum said tonight: "We are delighted to be going home where we will continue the fight to clear my daughter’s name. The fight is not over to get justice."
She thanked supporters as she arrived at the airport while one Israeli women told her: "The men you met are not representative of Israel."
Her mum added: "I would love to come to Israel to see you. We cannot thank you enough for all your support."
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.
Speaking outside court today, 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".
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.
DOZENS PROTEST OUTSIDE COURT
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."
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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".
Other shouted: "You are not alone", and "Mr Judge shame on you, don't you have a daughter too?".
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