The 39-year-old Argentine, who accused French internationals Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou of rape in early July, who are currently charged and banned from leaving the South American country, tried to end her life on Friday, her lawyers told AFP on Monday.
The complainant “tried to commit suicide on Friday and, for that reason, did not show up for the hearing” that day, said Mauricio Cardello. She “is fine,” but “will not show up” for a rescheduled hearing on Tuesday either, he added. According to the lawyer, the presence of her father helped prevent the worst.
Already absent from the hearing last Friday
Last Friday, Mr. Cardello explained to journalists present in Mendoza that his client was absent from the hearing due to “gastric problems, quite severe pain”, as a result of which “she was not in a condition to come”.
This Tuesday, during a new hearing, the players’ lawyers, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, convinced that the prosecution’s position is weakened, intended to file a request for dismissal, in order to obtain their return to France. The announced absence of the complainant at the hearing does not prevent the players’ lawyers from filing this request, Martin Ahumada, spokesman for the provincial justice of Mendoza, told AFP.
Back to the facts
In early July, French internationals Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou were charged with aggravated gang rape. The alleged events occurred on the night of 6 to 7 July in a hotel room in Mendoza where the French XV had just won a test match against Argentina.
The complainant, who had met the players at a nightclub and followed one of them to the hotel, says she was raped and abused by both. The accused admit to having sexual relations, but say they were consensual and deny any violence. Detained shortly after their arrest on July 8, the players were placed under house arrest on July 17, then released two weeks ago by decision of the prosecutor, although they are prohibited from leaving Argentina during the investigation.
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