Rape case suspects’ detention extended

A Cyprus court has extended the detention of seven Israeli teenagers out of the 12 who were arrested as suspects in the alleged rape of a 19-year-old British woman.

The court yesterday ordered the suspects to remain in police custody for another six days to give investigators more time to finish looking into the woman’s reported rape at a hotel in the resort town of Ayia Napa.

Defence lawyer Nir Yaslovitzh said the other five suspects in the case were released from custody on Thursday and have since returned to Israel.

Mr Yaslovitzh claimed he was “sure” the woman lied about being raped, alleging the release of the five Israelis damaged her credibility because she told police 12 individuals sexually assaulted her.