In a significant development, Argentine prosecutors have recommended the dismissal of rape charges against two French international rugby players, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, who were accused of assaulting a woman following a night out in Mendoza.
The recommendation comes after nearly two months of detention in Argentina, during which the players denied the allegations and asserted that any sexual encounter was consensual.
Auradou and Jegou, both 21, were arrested shortly after their debut international match against Argentina on July 6. The incident allegedly occurred in a hotel room after the players met the 39-year-old woman at a nightclub.
The woman’s claims described a violent assault, prompting police intervention and subsequent charges of aggravated rape, a designation often associated with suspected gang rapes.
However, the prosecutor’s office in Mendoza has expressed support for the defense’s call for dismissal. Martin Ahumada, a spokesman for the office, confirmed that a hearing has been scheduled for October 18, during which the judge will consider the prosecution’s recommendation to drop the charges.
A psychological evaluation conducted on the complainant revealed significant inconsistencies and contradictions in her account of the events.
The assessment ultimately deemed her version of events “not plausible,” raising doubts about the validity of the charges.
Rafael Cuneo, the players’ Argentine lawyer, expressed satisfaction with the prosecution’s request for dismissal, stating that the case should serve as a cautionary tale regarding wrongful accusations against innocent individuals.
“We believe this should lead to deeper reflections on the implications of such serious allegations,” Cuneo stated.
Following their release last month, both players have returned to their clubs and resumed training. Auradou is set to start in a match for his team, Pau, against Perpignan on Saturday.
His club coach, Sebastien Piqueronies, praised Auradou’s readiness to return to the field. “You’ve seen him training with us, and the day has come to get him on a rugby field and that will be tomorrow. There is nothing to prevent him from playing rugby; he is presumed innocent,” Piqueronies emphasized during a press conference.
The incident has sparked discussions around consent and the complexities surrounding accusations of sexual assault, particularly in high-profile cases involving athletes.
While Auradou and Jegou await the court’s decision on the prosecution’s recommendation, the implications of this case extend beyond the players, touching on broader societal issues regarding the treatment of such allegations and the balance between justice for victims and the rights of the accused.
As the scheduled hearing approaches, the rugby world and legal experts alike will be watching closely to see how this case unfolds and what it might mean for future allegations of a similar nature.
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