Formally accused of aggravated gang rape, the two French XV players detained in Argentina have been indicted. The whole challenge of the investigation will now be to prove the absence or not of consent.
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Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou were indicted on Friday, July 12, following a first hearing in Mendoza, Argentina. They are being prosecuted for aggravated gang rape and remain in detention pending investigation. They are accused of raping a woman in the hotel where they were staying after their victory against Argentina on July 6.
With the help of a public translator, the prosecutor explained to the French the charges they are facing. The results of the complainant’s medical examinations were also presented to them. Faced with this indictment, the players remained calm, assures one of their lawyers, German Hnatow. “They are fine and are sure of their statement. They are calm because they know they are innocent but of course they are worried about this whole situation they are living. We know our clients’ version. We believe them and we trust them. Next week, they will surely speak out.”
“Their statements are consistent and coherent and, moreover, very far removed from those made by the victim.”
German Hnatow, rugby players’ lawyerto franceinfo
The 39-year-old woman reportedly said she was raped repeatedly and in an extremely violent context by Hugo Auradou, then again by Oscar Jegou. The former could be sentenced to a longer term due to the repetition of the facts, but both risk a minimum of eight years in prison. The facts must first be proven, recalls Mauricio Cardello, one of the plaintiff’s lawyers. “This is just the beginning. There is a lot of evidence to be gathered. The results of the psychological assessments of the victim, for example, will be decisive. The analysis of the hotel cameras too. I also assume that hotel employees will be called to testify, even if the events took place in the privacy of a room and these witnesses are peripheral.”
“The key here is to prove that there was no consent.”
Mauricio Cardello, one of the plaintiff’s lawyersto franceinfo
A theory that the rugby players completely deny. The lawyers now have ten days to present evidence for and against them. A new hearing will then take place, during which the prosecutor will determine whether or not the two athletes will be able to benefit from home imprisonment. During this time, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou will have to undergo the necessary medical examinations and psychological assessments. They will remain detained in a transit prison until further notice.
Investigation “only just beginning” in Argentina: report by Caroline Vicq
