Briton, 19, who ‘lied about gang rape’ by 12 Israelis in Ayia Napa covers her face outside court as she faces a YEAR in prison and multi-million pound damages claim
A British woman who allegedly lied to police in Cyprus about being gang raped by 12 Israeli teens is now facing a year in jail after being charged with ‘public mischief’.
The 19-year-old, who has not been identified, covered her face as she appeared in court where she was remanded in custody for eight days while police investigate.
Meanwhile lawyers for some of the boys she accused – who spent more than a week in jail themselves before being freed – say they will be filing claims for damages which they expect to run into the millions of pounds.
The Israelis, aged between 15 and 20, were arrested on July 17 and accused of subjecting the woman to an hour-long attack at the Pambos Napa Rocks Hotel.
She initially claimed the she knew one of the men and went to his hotel room for a consensual encounter, before the rest of the group burst in and attacked her.
The men were arrested and remanded in custody while police gathered mobile phone footage and DNA samples.
Five of the twelve were subsequently freed due to lack of evidence, while seven others were kept in custody.
An identity parade was also planned before charges were expected to be laid.
However, a dramatic development came on Sunday when the remaining seven were released after the woman reportedly changed her story.
The Times of Israel reports that, in subsequent police interviews, the girl walked back her previous statement and admitted having consensual sex with three men.
However, she became angry at some of the men for filming the encounter, which she had not given them permission to do, the paper reports.
Following their release, the seven teenagers flew home to Israel and were pictured celebrating at the airport.
Lawyers for at least three of the ex-accused now say their clients want to sue the British woman for damages.
Yaniv Habari, Nir Yaslovitzh and Yona Golub all told The Sun that they will be suing for anguish, libel, loss of earnings and suffering caused.
A source close to the men added: ‘There are twelve cases to be heard and this will be a very expensive case for her.
‘The claims will run into millions for the suffering she put them through.’