Ayia Napa gang-rape Brit has conviction OVERTURNED after being convicted of lying about hotel attack by 12 men

A BRITISH teen who was found guilty of making a false gang-rape claim during a holiday in Cyprus has today had her conviction overturned. The decision was handed down by the country’s Supreme Court in Nicosia following an appeal in September. The teen pictured at court in 2020 The SunShe was given a four-month suspended jail sentence in 2020[/caption] Outside the court in Nicosia, a group of supporters had gathered ahead of the verdict despite the chilly temperatures, carrying banners and placards. Clapping and cheering, they shouted “They are guilty” as news of the court’s dramatic decision to overturn the conviction spread. Some carried placards and banners reading “End rape culture” and “I believe her”. The woman, a University student from Derbyshire who was just 19 at the time, said she was attacked by a group of 12 men in Ayia Napa three years ago. She had to put her studies on hold as she was held in custody for three months before eventually being convicted of lying and given a four-month suspended jail sentence in 2020, allowing her to leave the island after almost six months. Her horrific ordeal happened in  Ayia Napa in July 2019 when she flew out to the island for a holiday after finishing her A levels. She struck up a holiday romance with a 21-year-old Israeli footballer Shimon Yusufov, 19, and when they were together in his hotel room one night that July, she claimed a group of his friends forced their way in and took turns raping her. Most read in The Sun UNITED LATEST Bissouma 'intense talks', Cristiano Ronaldo joins United WhatsApp GUN COPS SWARM Armed police rush to estate & locals told to stay indoors amid 'incident' RAPE PROBE Mason Greenwood arrested on suspicion of rape & GBH after domestic abuse claim WHAT THE L I failed my driving test before even turning on the engine - here's why BENCHED Danniella Westbrook threatens BBC with legal action after EastEnders recasts her ADE CHANT SHAME Wycombe's Akinfenwa furiously confronts MK Dons fans over abusive chant The then 18-year-old, who cannot be named in the UK for legal reasons, reported the assault to police, and 12 Israelis were later arrested – who all maintained it was consensual. But the ordeal took a turn when, after eight hours of being quizzed by cops and being denied a lawyer, the teen was branded a liar and police dictated a statement retracting her story – ordering her to sign it as her alleged attackers went free. She was found guilty of public mischief after a tortured legal process that her lawyers say breached her human rights. The woman’s legal team is comprised of Lewis Power QC, human rights advocate Nicoletta Charalambidou, and criminal law expert Ritsa Pekri. Michale Polak of campaign group Justice Abroad, said: “The decision on Monday is a very important one, not just for the woman involved but also for the recognition of fair trial provisions in Cypriot courts. “It was clear to all watching the trial of our client that guilt had been decided before the trial had begun”. The main grounds of appeal include that the retraction statement should not have been admitted in the trial proceedings coming after the vulnerable teen was held for six hours at the police station without a lawyer, suffering from PTSD and without a translator. Demonstrators had gathered outside the court to show their support. The young woman speaking after she returned to Britain, said she is still haunted by the ordeal. Back in January 2020, her jail term was suspended for three years was also handed a fine of €148 (£126). The judge in the case, Michaelis Papathanasiou, said he was taking into account the woman’s age, psychological state, and that she had been in Cyprus for six months, and giving her a “second chance”. Speaking outside the court, the woman’s lawyer, Lewis Power QC, said the family would be seeking an expedited appeal of the woman’s conviction at the Supreme Court of Cyprus and would also consider going to the European Court of Human Rights. The SunThe woman said she is still haunted by the ordeal[/caption]