Raul Asensio (22, Real Madrid) has been cleared of charges related to filming obscene videos of minors, but he appealed for the principle of presumption of innocence to be applied concerning the distribution charges.
Spain's 'AS' reported on the 16th (Korean time) that 'the judge who charged Asensio with child pornography and personal data leakage announced a correction to the indictment. He stated that he would exclude the charges of filming sexual intercourse that he had initially applied to Asensio.'
Asensio was charged along with his fellow youth team members Juan Rodriguez, Ferran Luis, and Andres Garcia on the same three charges. The judge is questioning them about the charges of filming sexual intercourse and sharing intimate pictures without consent from the victims. Furthermore, because one of the victims was a minor, charges of child pornography have been applied.
Initially, Asensio was summoned as a witness in the case but was transformed into a suspect during the investigation process. At that time, Real Madrid stated that 'one player from the Castilla team and three players from the Real Madrid C team cooperated with the investigation and appropriate measures will be taken after ascertaining the specific facts.'
Unlike other youth players, Asensio is currently playing for the Real Madrid first team. In February, Asensio requested the dismissal of charges. However, the Spanish court dismissed this request, bringing the case back into the spotlight. The submitted documents indicate that one of the victims was under 16 years old at the time of the incident.
However, the presiding judge excluded Asensio from the charges of filming sexual videos. The ruling states, 'There is no evidence that Asensio participated in the filming. Therefore, the related criminal charges cannot temporarily be applied to him.' According to AS, the incident occurred in June 2023 at a club on Amadores Beach in southern Gran Canaria, Spain. Four football players, including Asensio, who were then 20 to 21 years old, spent time with three women.
During the incident, although one woman stated that she was 16 years old, the other three players, excluding Asensio, engaged in sexual intercourse with two women, including the 16-year-old, with consent. The issue is that they also committed the crime of secretly filming without consent. At that time, Asensio is said to have been in another space.
AS reported that 'the judge emphasized in the ruling that due to this incident, the minor victim is suffering from 'anxiety and depression accompanied by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She has experienced a decline in daily functioning, as well as social and academic abilities. Another young woman present is also experiencing PTSD.'
Although the charges of filming have been excluded, Asensio is still facing allegations of distributing the video. The case has now been transferred to the prosecution. The prosecution will decide whether to file charges, and if charges are pursued, a trial may take place. Conversely, an appeal may also be possible. If found guilty in the final ruling, Asensio could face both fines and prison sentences.
After the charges of filming sexual videos of minors were dismissed, Asensio released a statement. He said, 'I have never participated in any actions that violate the sexual freedom of any woman, especially that of a minor.' He further noted, 'The ruling states that no charges were brought against me for having sexual relations with the two women involved in this case, nor for recording them regardless of their consent.'
Regarding the distribution charges, Asensio emphasized, 'Likewise, I clarify that I am not the person who sent private images or videos to a third party. Once again, I stress that such images or videos were filmed in a location where I was not present. The only issue is that I temporarily viewed some images.'
Meanwhile, Asensio has participated in 21 La Liga matches this season, establishing himself as the next-generation defender for Real Madrid, while the others charged along with him, Luis, Rodriguez, and Garcia, have already left Real Madrid. Currently, Real Madrid is reported to have refused to make any official statement regarding this incident.
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), Raul Asensio social media.
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