The parents of a British woman accused of lying about being gang raped in Cyprus have said they “remain hopeful” ahead of the verdict.
The 19-year-old defendant, who has not been named, could face up to a year in jail and a £1,500 (€1,700) fine if she is found guilty of public mischief on Monday.
The teenager is accused of falsely claiming she was raped by up to 12 Israeli tourists in an Ayia Napa hotel on July 17.
She retracted the allegation 10 days later, but spent more than a month in prison before being granted bail at the end of August. She has not been allowed to leave the island.
The 19-year-old arrives at the Famagusta District Court, Paralimni, on July 29 to face charges of making a false allegationAFP/Getty ImagesThe same month, her family launched a crowdfunding appeal to cover her £15,000 legal costs.
The page has since raised more than £52,000.
In an online post, they wrote: “We remain hopeful that she will be allowed to go home on 30th and that justice will be served.”
The 12 Israeli men returned home after charges were droppedAFP/Getty ImagesThe teenager spent Christmas on the island after the judge at Famagusta District Court in Paralimni adjourned the case at the start of December.
Her parents said: “We just wanted to wish you a wonderful Christmas and thank you for supporting our daughter through the traumatic second half of 2019.
“Christmas is a time to be with family and a time for hope. We are making the most of it here in Cyprus.”
The woman was a week into a working holiday before she was due to start university, when she claimed she was raped by the young Israeli men, aged between 15 and 18.
She insists she was telling the truth but was pressured into making a retraction statement by Cypriot police.
The 12 Israelis arrested over the alleged attack returned home after they were released.