'RAPE' PLOT TWIST
Brit, 19, ‘gang raped by 12 men in Ayia Napa’ ARRESTED over ‘false claims’ as suspects released
TWELVE Israeli men accused of gang raping a British woman have been freed and the alleged victim arrested on suspicion of making a false claim.
Cops in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, said the 19-year-old woman will appear in court tomorrow, as the released men were seen joyfully hugging friends and family today.
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The seven men still held have been released after five were freed on Thursday, when no DNA evidence linked them to the alleged attack.
The British teen had claimed she was assaulted in a hotel room in the resort, with the 12 men denying it.
Speaking to The Sun a cop in Nicosia confirmed that the 19-year-old would remain in custody until she appeared in court in Paralimi tomorrow accused of making up the attack.
He said: "She changed her testimony on Sunday morning. We were all surprised
"At between 9 and 9.30am on Monday she will appear before the court which will rule in punishment. That may mean imprisonment, a fine or both."
Yaniv Habari, a lawyer for some of the now-freed men, said: "The woman has changed her story. Those in custody will be released and allowed to leave."
He added the accuser "regretted what she said and now she's being interrogated, and most likely she will be referred to court tomorrow".
Their lawyers had told the : "The police hit us, they broke our noses, and the girl is lying.
"Help us, get us out of here, you'll see we're right and that we're innocent."
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The woman had told cops she agreed to have sex with one of the 12 but was held down and raped, with a medical exam showing scratches and bruises.
The Times of Israel reported three of them had admitted to having sex with the girl - but they insisted they took place with "with love and consent".
Israeli education minister Rafael Peretz, speaking to reporters outside a cabinet meeting on Sunday, said of the Cyprus case: “We need to check the details. We are certainly in favour of the children of Israel having the highest moral standard.”
Twelve Israeli teens appear in court in Cyprus accused of gang-raping Briton in Ayia Napa hotel
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