British teen who claimed Israeli tourists gang-raped her in Ayia Napa says police dictated her confession that she had invented the allegation and ordered her to sign it

  • 19-year-old woman was denied a lawyer and made to sign statement by police 
  • Last month she said up to a dozen teenagers sexually assaulted her in Ayia Napa
  • They were released and returned home after she allegedly changed her story
  • The woman claims police would not let her speak to anyone or get a lawyer 

A British tourist held in Cyprus for allegedly making false claims of gang-rape was forced to sign a confession fabricated by the police, according to reports.

The 19-year-old woman was denied a lawyer and made to sign the statement after being kept at the police station for eight hours.

Last month she told police up to a dozen teenagers had held her down before taking it in turns to sexually assault her in Ayia Napa.

Following her confession they were released and returned to Israel to a heroes' welcome, celebrating with champagne, after she allegedly changed her story.

The British teenager who accused the men of rape, leaving the Famagusta District Court in Paralimni in eastern Cyprus

The British teenager who accused the men of rape, leaving the Famagusta District Court in Paralimni in eastern Cyprus

She could face a year in jail if she is found guilty of making up the allegations against the 12 Israelis, aged 15 to 18.

But it is thought the police threatened to arrest her friends if she did not withdraw her complaint.

Michael Polak, a British barrister who is representing the teenager, said: 'The confession was obtained under oppression given the threats made. 

'She was not cautioned and was not given access to a lawyer as was her right under the European Convention on Human rights.

'Further, the teenager was not told she could leave the police station nor given the option of leaving at any point.' 

He told The Sun: 'It is also understood that unfortunately none of the proceedings at the Cypriot police station were recorded.' In the UK interviews must be recorded by law.

The Israeli boys were criticised for their jubilant celebrations with friends and family when they arrived back in Israel (above)

The Israeli boys were criticised for their jubilant celebrations with friends and family when they arrived back in Israel (above)  

The woman also sent messages to her friends minutes before she was charged at 2.30am claiming the police would not let her speak to anyone.

She wrote: 'It's crazy. They wouldn't let me talk to anyone.

'I said I have a right to have a lawyer here. Not in Cyprus, maybe the UK not Cyprus.

'They've honestly made me sign false...' Other messages to her friends read: 'Bad things with police.

'They think it's a conspiracy and they threatened an international arrest warrant to arrest you all for it.' 

One friend replied: 'WTF. What the hell.' 

The Israeli teenagers, who on holiday before starting national service, all denied rape while three said they had drunken consensual sex with her at a hotel. 

It is believed she had a holiday fling with one or more of the teens before the allegations were made.

The woman could now face civil action from some of the former suspects who plan to sue for more than £50,000 each in damages.

Police reports seen by The Sun also state medical examinations of two Israelis found 'suspicious scratches' and bruises on their backs and chests.

The rape case has cast a dark cloud of Ayia Napa's tourist industry where young people attracted by cheap flights, drinks and accommodation go every year to let their hair down

The rape case has cast a dark cloud of Ayia Napa's tourist industry where young people attracted by cheap flights, drinks and accommodation go every year to let their hair down

They claimed they had been attacked by the woman's friends by the hotel's manager denies such a fight taking place.

The reports are also said to include details of one of the Israeli youths changing his story.

It comes days after the woman's legal team claimed she has been a victim of 'revenge porn' after the youths sent friends a video of her having drunken sex which has since gone viral.

According to Israeli sources, the video has been shared widely via WhatsApp, social media and even on porn sites after one or more of the youths sent it to friends.

The footage is also believed to show the group making derogatory comments about the woman in Hebrew during the encounter.

One source said: 'The video is everywhere. In it you can hear one of the boys saying in Hebrew "You're my whore - say you are my whore".

'She doesn't understand and asks what they are saying and one of them replies in English "We are saying you're sexy". It is not very nice. It's not how men should act. A lot of people in Israel are starting to question their behaviour.'

The case was adjourned until August 7 for a plea hearing after the defence requested more time to review evidence including the video.

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