Three Australian men who pleaded guilty to raping a 17-year-old Norwegian girl in Croatia have returned to Melbourne after paying €20,000 in compensation, avoiding a trial that could have led to a 15-year prison sentence.
Dylan Djohan, 23, Ashwin Kumar, 23, and Waleed Latif, 21, were arrested following the assault on 16 July last year in a bar in Split. The court heard that one man took the victim to the men's bathroom by force, where the other two joined him and assaulted her. She escaped and reported the attack to police.
DNA evidence linked the men to the crime. Two initially claimed the sex was consensual, while the third denied involvement. They were due to stand trial on 1 February but their lawyers arranged a plea bargain, resulting in a one-year prison sentence reduced to a five-year good behaviour bond after payment.
Croatian women's rights campaigner Sanja Sarnavka criticised the state prosecutor for allowing a financial settlement in a case carrying a lengthy prison sentence. 'If they can afford it, those who are indicted will pay for the best lawyers, pay the damages and receive a minimum sentence or even go free,' she said.
After the deal, Djohan posted on Instagram about joining the 'mile high club' on his flight home, and had previously claimed a 'soft voice' told him his purpose was to 'bed heavenly blessed beauties'.
