Trial over sexual assault of 19-year-old at police station: Prosecutor called for acquittal of officers
During the trial into the case of sexual abuse of a 19-year-old at Omonoia Police Station, the prosecutor proposed that the two police officers be acquitted of the gang rape charge, citing ambiguities in the victim's testimony.
Trial over sexual assault of 19-year-old at police station: Prosecutor called for acquittal of officers
In the courtroom hearing the case of a 19-year-old who claims she was sexually abused inside Omonoia Police Station, the prosecutor called for the two uniformed officers to be acquitted of the gang rape charge.
During his address, the prosecutor stressed that the evidence that emerged during proceedings contained significant gaps and contradictions in the young woman's account. According to his assessment, there is no evidence that rules out every doubt that the girl did not consent to the contact.
He stated that the 19-year-old's conduct did not correspond to that of a person who had undergone a violent act. As he said, the young woman did not express refusal, did not leave the premises despite the door being unlocked, nor did she seek help from the domestic violence office that was located next door.
Concurrently, the prosecutor called for the acquittal of a third defendant from the charge of complicity. On the other hand, he proposed that the second police officer be found guilty of personal data violation, as he is said to have recorded with a video camera what took place in the station's changing rooms.
The prosecutor emphasised that the police officers' actions constitute serious disciplinary violations and a moral degradation of the service; however, at the criminal level there is no clear evidence for conviction. His proposal provoked reactions from those present in the courtroom.
The trial continues with submissions from the defence counsel, whilst the court's ruling may be delivered even on the same day.
Source: ERT