12.07.2024 15:50
French national rugby players Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, who are accused of raping a woman in a hotel room in Argentina, have been arrested on charges of rape and assault. While the players' lawyer argues that the sexual intercourse was consensual, the woman's lawyer, Natacha Romano, stated that the injuries on her client's body are evidence that it was not consensual. In Argentina, the punishment for sexual assault ranges from six to fifteen years.
The lawyer of the 39-year-old Argentine woman, Natacha Romano, stated that her client had bite marks and wounds on her breasts in a hotel room in Mendoza. French national rugby players Hugo Auradou (20) and Oscar Jegou (21) were arrested in Buenos Aires on charges of rape and assault. The players denied the charges and claimed that the woman had consented. The players, who were transferred from Interpol's Buenos Aires headquarters to Mendoza, are awaiting trial today.
WOMAN WHO WAS ASSAULTED TAKEN TO HOSPITAL
Romano said that her client was taken to the hospital because she felt emotionally and physically unwell due to the incident. She stated that the woman had various wounds and bite marks on her face, back, breasts, legs, and ribs. She claimed that the woman had been raped by one man at least six times and by the other once, and that she had tried to escape several times.
Auradou and Jegou were held in a police detention unit and will appear before prosecutor Cecilia Bignert. A hearing will be held within 10 days to determine whether they will remain in custody pending trial after the charges.
During this time, the players can apply for conditional release or house arrest. While the penalty for sexual assault in Argentina ranges from six to 15 years, it can be up to 20 years if there are two perpetrators.
INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE FRENCH NATIONAL TEAM'S SOUTH AMERICA TOUR
These allegations, which occurred during the French national team's South America tour, shook the French rugby community. The assault took place at the Diplomatic Hotel after France defeated Argentina. Romano claimed that the woman went to a hotel room with a man from a nightclub and was held captive and abused for hours.
PLAYERS' LAWYER CLAIMED IT WAS CONSENSUAL
The players' lawyer, Rafael Cuneo Libarona, argued that the sexual intercourse was consensual. Romano stated that the wounds on the woman's body were evidence that it was not consensual and said that she would demand that the defendants be tried in custody.
Florian Grill, the president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR), emphasized the different versions of the incident and stated that the Argentine justice system should investigate the case quickly. Auradou and Jegou were replaced by Mickael Guillard and Judicael Cancoriet for the second test match.