and to think what has happened to her subsequently is appalling.
To believe that she was actually gang raped, does a young woman seriously go from having consensual sex with one person to allowing that man's dozen or so mates to join in.
Furthermore the Cypriot Police did not take evidence from the room, did not seal it off as a crime scene, she was interviewed late at night without legal representation or a family member, which lead to her retracting the allegations under intense duress.
Now she has been found guilty by a Cypriot court and may well face a prison sentence.
I think the whole matter is appalling I just hope she can come home and piece her life together with counselling and understanding after her awful ordeal.
So relieved for this young woman who has been through so much and unfortunately still has this gulty verdict hanging over her, which could affect her professional future. I could quite understand her attitude may well be that she has simply had enough and not want to appeal given her experiences of courts etc.
I do hope she realises her ambition and goes off to university in September, albeit a year late. Most of all I hope in time she can get over the trauma of what she has been through and it doesn't blight the rest of her life.
She’s in an impossible position isn’t she Iam. I take your point about an appeal failing ( although would it at the EHCR under Article 6?) But down the line if she doesn’t appeal and professional doors are slammed in her face, she could well one say bitterly regret that decision. The conviction basically labels her a liar which is much more serious in terms of her future than for example she had been found guilty of being drunk and disorderly.
I understand those who say this young woman should appeal against her conviction. If she was my daughter I'd be guided by her but I would worry that an appeal may fail to overturn her conviction and compound the suffering she's already experienced. Sexism, misogyny, all alive and operating in so many places.
If I was wrongly accused I don't think the anger would ever leave me and we know the damage that can be caused by repressing anger. I would go through hell to get justice.
Of course, not everyone is the same and the girl's mental attitude may be quite different, but I fear for her future if she is left with that injustice simmering inside her.
No appeal process can be easy, can it? I hope the Supreme Court in Cyprus agree to expedite her case. They could then allow her appeal and set the conviction aside and end it all there. That should make good sense to them as if it has to go to ECHR it will only prolong the bad publicity for the island.
maddy is absolutely right-it’s necessary to appeal and it sounds as though this will happen. A criminal conviction is an incredibly serious thing to have and will close many careers to her or at least, involve her having to relive it all each time she has to disclose to prospective employers. Also every time the case ( or her name) is googled, all the details will come up. Additionally, it might make Cyprus and other countries with similar attitudes towards young women in such circumstances, think twice.
I'm so glad that this poor girl is coming home. Apparently, if what I've read is true, opinion is turning against these young men in their home country. The whole situation is a disgrace.
I’m pleased she’s appealing, she’s young and she has a criminal conviction. She needs to clear her name so this won’t affect her career prospects in the future. Also, by clearing her name she will in effect, convict the men. Anyway, at least she’s coming home to Britain where she is believed. I hope she is able to recover from this terrible time, to clear her name, and to begin her university course, maybe next year.
I was very pleased to hear this on the news. If I was her mother I would certainly advise against launching an appeal. It would mean going through the whole ordeal again. I would want her home with me and receiving medical care.
And how their families could take champagne to the airport and celebrate publicly is beyond me. If my son had been involved, I would have been ashamed.
that is so sad to think that people only ever get worse. I truly do not believe this but it is your family members so I will butt out. I do understand what you are saying but I like to hope people will change......
I read a report earlier today, not sure where, which said the men are intending to sue the young woman as they deserve compensation for what they have been through. How can they be so f***ing arrogant?
Pink. People mostly never change for the better, male or female once they get into a mindset personality, it either stays with them or deteriorates. Relationships often break down and this hardens attitudes, an ex partner may find another match and as long as neither changes all will be well.
I have signed the petition as I totally believe her. I read this morning that some 'huge deal' had been done between Cyprus, Israel and Greece. They signed EastMed gas pipeline deal on Thursday. Read into this what you like. My opinion is they found the Israel men not guilty because they did not want to lose this deal. Our government should get this girl home now!