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Paralympians bailed over sex allegations

Three members of the Jordanian Paralympic team accused of sex offences at a pre-Games training camp in Northern Ireland were released on bail on Wednesday.

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Source: AFP


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Two wheelchair-using power-lifters and a trainer appeared at Coleraine Magistrates' Court facing charges including sexual assault and voyeurism.

A senior Jordanian government official denied reports that the King of Jordan had personally intervened in the case, although the official said the monarch was "concerned" by the allegations.

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"If proven, these actions are condemned by Jordan, which fully backs the court. But at the same time, the kingdom supports Jordanian citizens inside the country and abroad," the official told AFP.

The men were arrested on Monday in the town of Antrim, northwest of Belfast, after three women lodged complaints.

Power lifter Omar Sami Qaradhi, 31, faces three charges of sexual assault, two against a child, and one of voyeurism after allegedly entering a women's changing room at the team's training centre at the Antrim Forum leisure centre.

Police said he was identified by a 14-year-old girl who claimed that she posed for photos with him before he groped her between the legs in Antrim town centre.

The same day, a girl aged 16 said she was walking along the river path beside the team's training base at Antrim Forum with a friend when their path was blocked by the three accused.

Police alleged that the girl was pushed by one of the men towards Omar, who placed his arm around her waist and tightened his grip, but then she ran away.

Tony Cahir, a lawyer for three accused, said Omar had not had any legs since birth and was incapable of sexual gratification.

The three men were released on combined bail and sureties of £5,500 ($8,700, 6,970 euros) each.

They have to make weekly contact with the Jordanian embassy in London before their next appearance in court on October 18.

The Jordanian Olympic committee issued a statement saying: "The committee will not tolerate any misconduct. It has full confidence in British judiciary."


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