'RAPE' HORROR Brit teen ‘raped by barman on Greek holiday before cops forced her to face attacker’ wins bombshell Human Rights ruling

In a damning ruling, the court identified 'significant shortcomings' in the investigation

A BRIT holidaymaker has won a "landmark" legal ruling after Greek cops failed to properly investigate her rape claims.

The victim, known only as Ms X, was on holiday with her mum in the seaside town of Parga in September 2019 when she was allegedly attacked by a hotel bartender.

The victim was on holiday with her mum in Parga, Greece when she was allegedly attacked
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The victim was on holiday with her mum in Parga, Greece when she was allegedly attackedCredit: Alamy
The teenager took her case to the European Court of Human Rights (pictured) and won
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The teenager took her case to the European Court of Human Rights (pictured) and wonCredit: Getty

The woman, then 18, reported it to cops the same day but was kept in the dark about the investigation.

She came face-to-face with her alleged attacker in hospital and at a police ID parade and was even refused access to court documents.

Cops also ignored forensic medical reports which crucially revealed extensive bruising to her legs, thighs and genitals.

Despite a mountain of evidence the bartender was released and the investigation closed a year later.

Police ruled there was "insufficient evidence" to proceed.

Ms X, of West Yorks, took her case to the European Court of Human Rights and won.

In a damning ruling, the court identified "significant shortcomings" and accused the Greek justice system of failing her.

The panel of judges ruled: "The intimate nature of the subject matter, the applicant’s young age and the fact that she claimed to have been raped while on holiday in a foreign country called for a sensitive approach on the part of the authorities.

"The investigating authorities had not taken measures to prevent her from being traumatised further and had not taken her needs sufficiently into account.

"They had not informed her of her rights as a victim, such as her right to legal assistance, her right to receive information and to object to the interpretation.

"Furthermore, they had not taken adequate measures to mitigate what was clearly a distressing experience for her, such as her interactions with the police, the medical examination, and being brought face-to-face with the accused at the hospital and during the identification procedure."

They added: "Those elements, in addition to the assessment of the forensic report, which did not actually contradict the applicant’s version of events, were not isolated errors but significant shortcomings.

"Therefore, the court, without expressing an opinion as to the guilt of the accused, found that the failure of the investigative and judicial authorities to adequately respond to Ms X’s allegations of rape showed that they had not given the case the careful scrutiny it required for them to properly fulfil their duties."

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