French rugby players accused of rape freed but must stay in Argentina

Two French rugby players accused of rape in Argentina, who have been under house arrest since July 8, were released on Monday on the condition they stay in the country until court proceedings are concluded.

A prosecutor’s office in Mendoza confirmed the decision in a statement, confirming that Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, both 21, must remain in Argentina until the trial is over.

The prosecutor's office ordered "the recovery of the freedom of the co-defendants and the preservation of the rest of the coercive measures,including the confiscation of their passports, the ban on them leaving the country and the prohibition of contact by any means with the alleged victim.

In the communiqué, it was also stated that "sufficient elements have not been gathered to authorise the Public Prosecutor's Office" to request pre-trial detention. 

Jegou and Auradou were charged on July 17 with "sexual abuse with carnal access [as rape is known in Argentine law] aggravated by the participation of two people."

The events allegedly took place in the province of Mendoza on 7 July at a hotel where the players were staying during a tour of Argentina with the French national team.

The defence agrees that sexual relations took place but says they were consensual.

Mauricio Cardello, one of the plaintiff’s lawyers, said earlier on Monday that his client was “very disappointed” by the decision

"We are very disappointed that they are going to be released ... [it’s] a great pain for the victim and a great disappointment for me professionally,” he said.

– TIMES/AFP