The gang rape is only one of three charges in the serious rape case in Bergen. When prosecutor Benedikte Hordnes started her proceedings today, she only dealt with the first charge. Three men have been charged with aggravated rape of a woman. The rape is said to have taken place at a party in Bergen in January 2021. – They are all jointly involved in everything that happens in there. Hordnes made it clear that she saw no reason to separate the three defendants from each other on this charge. She pointed out that the defendants have changed their explanations from questioning to the court, and placed great emphasis on the victim’s explanation – The defendants know they obtain the sexual intercourse by force. Furthermore, she said that she understands that the defenders will highlight the time that has passed and what has taken place on social media outside the trial as mitigating circumstances. She will ask for five years in prison for the gang rape. One of the three accused of the gross rape is also accused of sexual intercourse with an underage girl together with two other men. He therefore risks more punishment. This, together with the third indictment which concerns a sleeping rape, will be dealt with by the prosecutor at a later date. A total of five men in their 20s sit on the dock. All five deny criminal guilt. These are the defendants Man (23) indicted both for aggravated rape in January 2021 together with two others, and for sexual intercourse with an underage girl in 2020. Man (24) indicted for aggravated rape in January 2021 along with two others. Man (26) charged with aggravated rape in January 2021 together with two others. Man (24) indicted for sexual intercourse with a minor girl in January 2020. Man (25) indicted both for sexual intercourse with a minor girl in January 2020 and for rape in the summer of 2018. Went viral on social media The case has attracted a lot of attention on social media , ever since the indictment came last autumn. After the court was set in the second week of May, the involvement has grown. Young people across the country have discussed the issue on social media. The trial has been interrupted several times and resulted in three reviews. The reasons include leaks from the courtroom and exposure in social media. This also led to the doors being closed to the public. Nevertheless, the names of those involved are still being spread both on social media and on posters in the Bergen area. Photo: Private Prosecutor: – Moving in a gray area The prosecutor has throughout the trial described the defendants as a gang of boys who have group sex as a hobby. She has also brought up the age and drunkenness of the girls these boys have been with. She also did this at the start of her procedure. – It must be said that we have received examples of cases where they have not been so careful to make sure that these girls are fully capable of knowing the scope of what they are involved in, or sober enough. Hordnes was clear that those who reported rape undoubtedly felt raped. – When some of the defendants move in a gray area, it is clear that it is also easier to cross the border, as the defendants have done in the cases we have charges against. With regard to the so-called gang rape, the prosecutor highlighted parts of the explanation of the offended woman. – This happens with high intensity, it happens brutally. She added that it is not known for sure why the rape stops, but adds; – They understand what they have done. They understand that they have done it under duress. A number of young people have explained themselves during the trial in Hordaland district court. Photo: Valentina Baisotti / news Word for word The trial has been characterized by conflicting explanations. The defendants have explained something completely different to the offended women in court. The prosecutor attached great importance to this. – They have the advantage that there are three of them, and can and undoubtedly have coordinated their explanations. Both before questioning, during questioning and here in court. The evidence in this case is explanations, and Hordnes was clear that the defendants’ explanations can be excluded. – It is a completely deliberate change to fit into the story so that they can go free. The offended woman, who is in her 20s, has explained herself that she would rather die than experience what she experienced that January evening. The trial was originally supposed to conclude today, but due to delays, the last day in court will be Monday 29 May. The court is then initially closed, but the press will have access to follow the proceedings. Prosecutor Benedicte Hordnes and assistant lawyer Hilde Cecilie Matre. Photo: Valentina Baisotti Hear more about the case in the news podcast Updated:
ttn-69
The prosecutor believes that five years’ imprisonment is the right punishment in the gang rape case in Bergen – news Vestland
