Argentine prosecutors have announced that two French rugby players accused of violently raping a woman will be permitted to fly back to France as the case continues to unfold. The players, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, were arrested in Mendoza after a 39-year-old Argentine woman filed a complaint alleging that they had raped her.
The decision to allow the accused athletes to leave the country is pending approval from a judge in Mendoza. The players have consistently maintained their innocence in the face of these serious allegations.
The incident, which occurred following a match between the French national team and Argentina's Pumas, has sent shockwaves through the rugby community and sparked widespread media attention in both countries.
The public prosecution in Mendoza has outlined several conditions for Auradou and Jegou's departure, including their agreement to cooperate with Argentine consular officials in France and to return to Mendoza as required by the court. The judge is expected to make a final ruling following a hearing to assess the players' psychological state.
While the rugby players have admitted to engaging in sexual activity with the plaintiff, they assert that it was consensual. The case took a surprising turn when prosecutors acknowledged inconsistencies in the victim's testimony, raising doubts about her credibility.
The plaintiff alleged that Auradou and Jegou assaulted her in their hotel room, causing injuries that required medical treatment. The crime of aggravated sexual assault in Argentina carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
