The Mendoza public prosecutor’s office will rule next week on whether or not to dismiss the two players from the French XV, suspected of raping a 39-year-old Argentinian woman.
The examination of the request for dismissal, in other words for abandonment of proceedings, against French rugby players Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, charged with rape in Argentina in July, was adjourned to a future hearing on October 25, announced Friday the lawyers.
During a brief hearing, the plaintiff’s lawyers submitted additional elements of a medical nature, which were “incorporated” in the file, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Natacha Romano, explained to the media. The actual pleadings on the dismissal of the case were postponed until the 25th, confirmed the lawyers of both parties.
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The documents provided by the defense relate to a coagulation pathology of the plaintiff (called Willebrand disease), a highly controversial element of the case, linked to the lesions observed after sexual relations with the players. Judge Eleonora Arenas, presiding over Friday’s hearing, “rejected” the prosecution’s arguments on these new elements, a spokesperson for the provincial justice of Mendoza, Martin Ahumada, told AFP. However, according to Mr. Romano, they were indeed included in the file.
The long series which began this summer is therefore not over. The two young internationals, both aged 21, had been charged with aggravated rape (because committed in a meeting) for alleged acts that occurred on the night of July 6 to 7 in a hotel room in Mendoza, where the XV of France had just played a test match against Argentina.
ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP
First detained then placed under house arrest, the second line from Pau and the third line from La Rochelle were released in mid-August, then authorized to leave Argentina pending the end of the investigation. The prosecution had noted “the existence of notable contradictions, inconsistencies, gray areas and even insufficient explanations” in the plaintiff’s statements.
The two players returned to France on September 4 and then, immediately, resumed training in their respective clubs. Auradou played again in the Top 14 with the Section Paloise, each time as a starter, against Perpignan and Castres. Jégou has returned to training with Stade Rochelais but has not yet returned to the championship pitches.
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