ZCZC
BSP-08
FBL-BRA-NEYMAR-ASSAULT-CRIME-BRAZIL
Brazil prosecutors ask judge to close Neymar rape case
SAO PAULO, Aug 9, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Prosecutors in Brazil said Thursday they
agree with a police finding that there is not enough evidence to prove rape
allegations against Neymar and have asked a judge to close the case.
“What happened between four walls is impossible to know, we have her word
against his,” prosecutor Flavia Merlini told reporters.
“We have decided to ask for the closure of the case.”
Neymar has denied the allegations he raped a Brazilian woman in a Paris
hotel in May. The ugly affair dominated headlines and conversations in the
soccer-mad country for weeks.
The scandal blew up on June 2 when Neymar published a seven-minute video on
Instagram, where he had first been in contact with Najila Trindade, revealing
that he had been accused of rape.
In an attempt to defend himself against the allegations, Neymar’s video was
accompanied by WhatsApp messages and images of his encounter with Trindade.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0908 hrs