Lawyer for French rugby player: Strong evidence against rape allegations

Last Friday, they were charged with aggravated rape of a woman they met in a bar after the game.

The 39-year-old plaintiff says she was brutally and repeatedly raped by the couple, who insist the sex was consensual.

Lawyer Rafael Cuneo Libarona told AFP on Monday that he believes the evidence collected so far supports the players’ version of events.

Speaking before the first testimony in the case, scheduled for Tuesday, Libarona said the couple were being well treated in a detention camp and that Argentina’s “justice system is working very well.”

Q: Are you convinced about the case?

“More and more new evidence is coming to light, videos and pictures are coming to light every day and technology is allowing us to build a very strong element of innocence.”

“I have no doubt that the defendants did not commit the crime, there is no doubt about that.”

Libarona added that this was “a very painful case for everyone: for the two Frenchmen – because in my opinion they are innocent – and for the victim – because in her opinion she was the victim of a crime.”

“That’s why we have to be respectful to everyone.”

Q: Will you request that she be placed under house arrest prior to the custody hearing?

“Our priority is to obtain house arrest… to protect their physical integrity and morals, nothing more.”

“In cases of sexual crimes and foreigners who do not speak Spanish, protection of the accused is necessary.”

The case will continue regardless of whether the men are in prison or under house arrest, the lawyer added: “There is no risk of escape and … no obstruction of the investigation.”

Q: How are the players’ families reacting to this?

A: “Of course she is worried,” Libarona said of Auradou’s mother, whom he had met previously.

“If my child were born under these circumstances, I would be very worried. Even though the children are innocent, that does not ease my concern.

“France is concerned about this. Rugby is concerned. I am concerned… We will work with the utmost seriousness to prove their innocence.”

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