Cuban volleyball players jailed for raping Finnish woman at tournament
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Five Cuban volleyball players have been convicted for the rape of a Finnish woman during a tournament.
The attack took place at the Volleyball World League in Tampere, southern Finland.
Team captain, Rolando Cepeda Abreu, 27, was given a five year sentence for aggravated rape at the District Court of Pirkanmaa, along with team mates Abrahan Alfonso Gavilan, 21, Ricardo Calvo Manzano, 19, and Osmany Uriarte Mestre, 21.
Another defendant, Luis Sosa Sierra, 21, was jailed for three years and six months.
One player, Dariel Albo Miranda, 24, was acquitted.
Eight members of the team were initially arrested in early July following allegations that a woman was raped at a hotel where the team was staying in Tampere, 105 miles north of the capital, Helsinki.
Two were released without charge.
The defendants had denied the charge and insisted the woman had consented to sex.
Other team members denied knowledge of the incident.
Despite the arrests and consequent loss of players, the Cuban team entered the Rio 2016 games but lost every match.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments