An Argentine judicial body made a significant ruling on Tuesday, as it decided to dismiss aggravated sexual assault charges against two French rugby players. These athletes, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jégou, faced accusations of raping a woman following a match in the country earlier this year. The judge, presiding over the case in Mendoza, located approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from Buenos Aires, cited a lack of sufficient evidence as the basis for the dismissal. The court stated, “The facts under investigation do not constitute a crime.”
The controversy surrounding the case took off in July when a 39-year-old woman in Argentina reported being assaulted, claiming she was beaten, choked, and raped at the players’ hotel room. Although the rugby players acknowledged engaging in sexual activity with the woman, whom they met during an evening of drinking after their victory against Argentina’s Pumas, they maintained that the interaction was consensual. Initially detained in a preventive measure and subsequently placed under house arrest for about a month, their legal journey has now shifted with this recent court ruling.
In light of the ruling, the players’ legal representatives expressed optimism about the justice system. Germán Hnatow, attorney for one of the players, conveyed his belief to a local radio station that this decision could serve as a pivotal moment, pointing out that false allegations regarding sexual crimes and gender-based violence can inflict lasting harm.
The plaintiff retains the right to appeal the court’s decision; however, she has yet to indicate whether she will take that step, and her attorney has not commented on the matter. Over recent months, the case has encountered challenges as discrepancies in the woman’s account arose. The defense presented arguments that questioned her credibility, citing messages sent via WhatsApp where the complainant seemed to joke about the sexual encounter.
Despite these developments, the woman’s legal team has attributed any inconsistencies to emotional distress and shock following the incident. Medical examinations during the investigation identified a serious bleeding ulcer and other injuries that were claimed to result from the alleged assault.
The prolonged investigation has reverberated within the French rugby scene, prompting a statement from the French Rugby Federation, which expressed relief and satisfaction regarding the court outcome. Given the serious nature of the allegations, the athletes had faced suspension but are now in a position to possibly rejoin their national team, subject to their performance.
This situation is part of a more extensive narrative regarding the French rugby team’s tour in Argentina, where another controversy surfaced involving player Melvyn Jaminet. He received a 34-week suspension alongside a fine for making a racist comment on social media. The rugby federation emphasized the need for heightened awareness and preventive measures to mitigate risky behavior among athletes within the sport.
