Cyprus rape scandal: All Israeli teens released as suspicion falls on accuser

All the Israeli teens who stood accused are to be released, Cypriot authorities said on Sunday.

By World Israel News Staff

A Cyprus gang-rape case that has shocked Israel was completely turned on its head on Sunday.

Cypriot police investigators released the remaining seven of 12 Israeli teenagers held under the accusation of rape by a 19-year-old British woman. Instead, police have arrested the woman on suspicion of perjury.

Five of the 12 were already released when no DNA evidence was found linking them to the alleged crime.

Investigators suspect that she made the accusation because she was angry that some of the boys filmed her during consensual sex. She then decided to file a complaint of gang-rape, Ynet reports.

“Apparently she changed her mind, her version, and that is what led the investigator to believe that this was a lie,” said attorney Yaniv Habri, who represents some of the Israeli suspects.

“Cypriot police carried out a professional and thorough investigation,” said attorney for two of the accused, Nir Yaslovitzh. “As I claimed throughout, there was no rape in Cyprus.”

The 12 Israeli youths, ages 16 and 18, were arrested on July 18 after having been accused by the woman of raping her in a hotel room in Ayia Napa, Cyprus.

Parents of the teens expressed relief at the news of their release.

Arutz7 reports one father said, “It was proven that the boys were innocent, and that everything was with the consent of the young woman. The Holy One, Blessed Be He performed an open miracle here – he showed everyone who’s boss and made sure the boys were released. We’re full of joy.”

Ynet reports another relative said, “Thank God, justice came out after two weeks without sleep. We’ve been through a lot of difficult days. From the beginning we believed them.”