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People Are Calling For Aiya Napa Rape Trial Doc 'Believe Me' To Be A Compulsory Watch

People Are Calling For Aiya Napa Rape Trial Doc 'Believe Me' To Be A Compulsory Watch

Many viewers are urging for the programme to be shown at an earlier time.

Lucy Devine

Lucy Devine

Last night, a documentary on the Ayia Napa rape case aired on ITV and horrified viewers are urging everyone to watch it.

While hundreds took to social media to express their disgust at the events that unfolded in Cyprus last year, others are calling it "the most powerful documentary [they] have ever seen".

Believe Me: The Cyprus Rape Case examines the case of the British teenager who was accused of lying about being gang-raped by 12 men in Ayia Napa last year.

The documentary recalls her nightmare ordeal, which began when she met a 21-year-old Israeli man, who she says later gang raped her in a hotel room, along with 11 of his friends.

The teenager - who is referred to as 'Emily' in the programme - reported the rape to the police in Cyprus, but days later, the case took a horrific turn when she was allegedly pressured into retracting her statement, and accused of fabricating the incident.

For six months, Emily was unable to leave Cyrpus and eventually, she was found guilty of Public Mischief and handed a four-month suspended jail sentence. Only then was she able to travel home.

The teenager was found guilty of Public Mischief and handed a four-month suspended jail sentence (
PA)

In the hour-long programme, former Detective Chief Superintendent David Gee re-examines evidence, explaining: "From what I've read, I'm comfortable in saying that this case has not been investigated as thoroughly as it should have been."

The shocking documentary also sees Emily speak to ITV's Julie Etchingham in her first television interview since her ordeal. Meanwhile, the programme includes a series of interviews with witnesses and friends, who were with the teenager after the incident occurred.

Viewers tuning in to watch the documentary are now urging others to watch the eye-opening programme.

Viewers are urging everyone to watch the documentary (
ITV)

One person said: "#BelieveMe is one of the most powerful documentaries I've ever seen, it's a difficult watch but everyone needs to! What this poor girl went through is nothing short of horrific and hopefully her being so brave and speaking up will help her get the justice she deserves! #Ibelieveher."

While one tweeted: "Everyone should make time to watch #BelieveMe. A powerful documentary on a miscarriage of justice, the complete disregard and mistreatment of a victim. But it illustrates the power of speaking out. She is so strong, we believe her, justice must be served."

Meanwhile another person wrote: "I hope everyone can take the time to watch this. It's so important to continue to give voices to survivors, especially right now while many are struggling with trauma alone in isolation."




Others hoped the documentary would have been shown on ITV earlier in the evening (it aired at 10.45pm), to allow more people to tune in and to give the programme more exposure. Tyla has contacted ITV for comment on this.

"This should have been put on much earlier for more exposure. Don't get why they put it on so late," tweeted one viewer.

While another wrote: "Why is this program #believeme on so late at night? This shud be shown at prime time so every1 can see the absol disgusting ordeal this young woman went through."

"Why on earth was #BelieveMe shown so late, it has not got the coverage it deserves," said another.

One other person tweeted: "Why have they aired #believeme so late at night? This story needs to be heard."




Throughout her eight-hour interrogation with police last summer, Emily had no lawyer present. What resulted was a retraction statement - signed by the teenager - to say she had lied about the rape because she "felt embarrassed" as she "did not know [the men] were recording [the incident]".

The teenager says she was "bullied" into retracting the allegation and stands by her initial report that she was gang raped by the 12 men.

During the documentary, Julie asks her what was going through her mind as she wrote the retraction statement, she says: "There was no other way out of that police station other than sign that retraction statement.

"I thought as soon as I am outside that volatile environment I can sort this out. When you're in that situation, the only sensible thing to do is to conform."

Viewers were disgusted and left speechless by some of the details recalled. One person said: "It's actually frightening how women are still being victimised and blamed for being raped. I can't actually believe her integrity was questioned in the first place. Terrifying."

While another wrote: "Sick of this injustice - consent with one does not mean consent to others ever end of. How many times do we have to repeat this! It's a basic human right."



Others have vowed never to visit Cyprus again, while many parents tweeted to say they would never let their kids visit the party resort of Ayia Napa.

The men involved all deny the claims and have never faced charges.

The Cyprus police have said their investigation was handled with professionalism, and they deny improper conduct.

At the trial, Sergeant Marios Christou said the teenager had been offered a translator and a lawyer, and there had been no problem with misunderstanding. He denied acting improperly.

If you missed Believe Me: The Cyprus Rape Case, you can watch it on ITV Hub now.

Featured Image Credit: PA

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