The 22-year-old athlete who accused her sailing coach of raping her when she was just 11 years old will testify in camera at the Athens Mixed Jury Court.
The court took the above decision, after the 22-year-old woman's side made a request in the hearing.
Characteristically, the young woman's lawyer, Cleo Papapantoleon, told the hearing:
"For reasons of protection of her and her privacy, we request that the evidentiary proceedings be conducted behind closed doors. If this is not granted, we request that at least the victim's testimony be conducted in camera. It is a painful process for her to testify. These are offences that have affected the core of her personality."
Earlier the prosecutor of the court asked for the request to be granted, while the defense of the 39-year-old accused coach did not object to the request, as far as only the victim's testimony in camera is concerned.
In the end, the court decided to give only the victim's testimony in camera.
"I do not accept the charge of rape"
"I do not accept the charge of rape for any living organism on the planet."
"I do not accept the charge of rape for any living organism on the planet. The rest I will leave to your judgment," said the accused coach taking the floor in the audience.
The complete denial of the rape charge was also underlined by his lawyers Theodoros Mantas and Vaso Pantazi.
The trial will continue on January 26.
Source: Proto Thema
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