Jegou-Auradou case: after the return of their passports… a new request from the lawyers of the rugby players accused of rape in Argentina

Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou soon to return to France ? – Screenshot

The lawyers of the two French rugby players charged with rape in Argentina asked the courts on Friday to lift the ban on leaving the country for the two players, who are free but awaiting the examination of a request for dismissal of the case, judicial sources indicated.

A decision by the prosecutor's office “on the request to leave the country should be made on Monday or Tuesday”, Martin Ahumada, spokesman for the provincial justice system in Mendoza (west), told reporters.

However, according to a source close to the case, the decision will not be made until Thursday, September 5, the date of a forthcoming hearing that must validate the last missing acts of the investigation – psychiatric expert reports. Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, two 21-year-old internationals, are charged with aggravated rape because they were committed in a group. The alleged events allegedly occurred on the night of July 6-7 in a hotel room in Mendoza, where the French XV had just won a test match against Argentina.

Passports recovered and a transfer to Buenos Aires

The two players claim that the sexual relations with the complainant, a 39-year-old Argentinian woman who had met them in a nightclub, were consensual. And they deny any violence, while the complainant's lawyer spoke of “terrible violence” exercised on their client.

First placed in detention after their indictment, Auradou and Jegou were, in mid-July, placed under house arrest in Mendoza and then released on August 13 by the public prosecutor, although they are still prohibited from leaving Argentina.

On Tuesday, the two players, who recovered their passports, left Mendoza for the capital Buenos Aires 1,000 km away, and to an unknown place of residence. On Friday in Mendoza, the plaintiff did not show up for a hearing for the third consecutive time, a week after a suicide attempt, revealed on Monday by her lawyers.

Read also: Jegou-Auradou case: “the decision now rests with the courts”, the rugby players' lawyers have filed a request for dismissal

She is still hospitalized, one of them, Mauricio Cardello, said on Friday, without being able to specify her recent state of health. The players' lawyers filed a request for dismissal on Tuesday. A date has not yet been set for a hearing to review the dismissal by a judge, a request on which the prosecution must first rule. A dismissal to which the plaintiff's defense will formally oppose because “we do not consider the conditions met“, reaffirmed Mr. Cardello on Friday.

Concerning authorizing an exit from Argentina, “we will express what we think”, but despite this advisory opinion, if the prosecution decides to lift the ban “it will be effective and they will be able to leave”, specified Mr. Cardello.