The five young Israelis, who are accused of gang-raping a 20-year-old British tourist in Ayia Napa, appeared before the court on Monday.
It is recalled that the five Israelis, aged 19 and 20, are accused of raping the woman in a room after a pool party on September 3. The five defendants will be brought to the Famagusta District Court again tomorrow.
"The trial has started and will continue until it ends. We take these matters very seriously," a police officer told the Mirror.
According to the Mirror report, the defendants smiled and winked at the relatives who had gathered for support in the Famagusta District Court room.
All five are from a town near Acre in northwestern Israel. The British woman said in her complaint that she was sexually assaulted after being "forcibly carried" from the hotel pool to her room.
It is recalled that in October all five pleaded not guilty to the charges they were facing.
The 20-year-old British woman's lawyer, Michael Pollak, said the woman is determined to see justice served even if it means testifying in court. “She is willing to give evidence to ensure justice. We are very happy that the trial has started."
With information from a Mirror publication