12 Israelis held in Cyprus over rape of British tourist

By Fatih Hafiz Mehmet

ANKARA (AA) - Twelve Israeli tourists were arrested in Greek Cypriot administration after a British woman alleged she had been gang-raped, according to local media on Thursday.

Fileleftheros newspaper reported that the Israelis were arrested late Wednesday after the complaint of the 19-year-old British tourist who was staying separately at the same hotel with the Israeli tourists at holiday resort Ayia Napa.

The Israeli suspects were referred on Thursday to a court which decided to extend period of their detention to eight days.

Forensic medical examination of the British woman reportedly revealed abrasions in her body, including her genital parts.

The incident happened in wee hours of Wednesday when the British woman was going to the hotel room with one of the Israelis and the rest 11 appeared at the room, Fileleftheros reported citing statements of the British woman.

Israeli news outlet Jerusalem Post also reported on Thursday that three of the Israelis admitted having sexual intercourse with the British woman, however, the rest nine denied being there.