Cyprus police grants 6-day extension to detain remaining Israeli rape suspects

Seven of the Israelis arrested in Ayia Napa over the suspected gang-rape of a British woman were brought to court for a remand hearing on Friday, in which the police asked to extend their detention in Cyprus by eight days. The court granted the police a six-day extension.

Attorney Nir Jeslovich, who represents some of the Israelis detained in Cyprus, said after the hearing, “Following our insistence, the court approved an extension of detention for only six days instead of eight, as requested by the police.”

Meanwhile, the five boys released Thursday night after DNA samples did not link them to the complainant, returned to Israel. Some of them told of their interrogation and the relief they felt when they arrived home. One of the former suspects told Channel 12, “It was a nightmare, I just wanted to get home.”

On Friday, sources announced that the DNA investigation showed that one of the suspects who denied sexual contact with the woman was found to have a positive DNA match. Three additional DNA findings were found that experts were not able to attribute to any of the suspects. Cyprus police believe that those three suspects fled to Israel shortly after the incident.

Jeslovich said that “The release of the five detainees was the first step and I have no doubt that the truth will be published in full, the police’s request to extend the detention for the purposes of a clear investigation since this is a thorough and professional investigation that will lead to unequivocal proof that there was no rape in Cyprus.”