A young 17-year-old Uzbek fencer accuses three Italian fencers of raping her during a training camp in Italy in August 2023, daily Il Messaggero reported on Sunday.
The events allegedly took place between August 4th and 5th in Chianciano Terme near Siena (Tuscany, center), where members of several fencing associations were staying, writes the Roman newspaper.
When she wakes up, the teenager discovers three young men, members of the Italian junior team. “One is lying on her, another is getting dressed, while a third is sleeping,” writes Il Messaggero.
Her body aches, she can't remember what happened, and she realizes she was gang-raped. She went to the hospital in Rome for a medical examination and filed a complaint.
According to the Ansa agency, these tests found traces of alcohol and drugs in the young girl's blood.
Investigations are still ongoing at the Siena public prosecutor's office.
Her lawyer regrets that no action has yet been taken against her alleged attackers, whom she might encounter at competitions. “Additional suffering and unacceptable humiliation,” protests Luciano Guidarelli.
The council also accuses the Italian Fencing Federation (FIS) of “sluggishness” and of not having suspended the three alleged attackers.
In a press release published on Sunday, the FIS states that it has been in contact on several occasions with the public prosecutor in question “while maintaining the secrecy of the investigation” and with the complainant's lawyer, and states that it has communicated his wish to remain in the In the event of a court case, file a civil lawsuit.
The alleged victim, who competes under the colors of Uzbekistan but is of a different nationality, already has an extensive saber record and is ranked number one in the world in his category, according to Il Messaggero.