Five Israelis Acquitted of Rape Charges in Ayia Napa Case

The Famagusta Criminal Court has acquitted five Israeli men accused of gang-raping a British tourist in Ayia Napa in September 2023.

The alleged incident took place on September 3, 2023, when a 20-year-old British tourist claimed that five Israeli men had forced her into a hotel room during a party and sexually assaulted her.

Police arrested the five suspects, all aged 19–20, charging them with kidnapping, sexual harassment, rape, and coercion into sexual acts. The high-profile trial was held recently, with some proceedings conducted behind closed doors.

However, the court dismissed all charges, ruling that the woman's testimony was inconsistent and unreliable.

Witnesses contradicted her account, particularly her claim that she had been forcibly taken to the room. At least 100 people attended the party, including a close friend of the alleged victim, who testified that he saw her willingly leave with another person.

Additionally, the woman repeatedly changed her statements about how many men were involved, and toxicology reports showed the presence of alcohol and MDMA in her system.