An Argentine court has ordered two French rugby players arrested on rape charges to continue their judicial proceedings under house arrest.
The verdict was issued by Cecilia Bignert, a prosecutor in the sexual purity crimes unit in Mendoza, about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) west of the capital Buenos Aires, at the request of the lawyers for the two French players.
“Given the level of evidence reached and the absence of procedural risks, it is possible to grant each person bail and house arrest,” the state prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
Oscar Jegou, 21, and Hugo Ouladu, 20, who are wearing tracking bracelets, are accused by the two of aggravated carnal knowledge (sexual intercourse).
La Rochelle flanker Jegou and Pau lock Ouladou both made their international debuts in France’s opening match of Argentina’s tour in Mendoza on 6 July.
The woman was allegedly attacked in a hotel in Mendoza in the early hours of July 7th following the match between France and Argentina.
The accuser is said to have met the two French players at a nightclub.
“We want the players to testify,” said the players’ lawyer, Rafael Cuneo Rivarona. “Mendoza said he knows what happened there and that both of them are ready to testify.”
If convicted, the players face a minimum of eight years and a maximum of 20 years in prison.
