A mild judgement in a stir-provoking process has sparked outrage in Spain. After nationwide protest, members of central government also criticized decision of court for first time on Friday. It is time to consider wher it is necessary to change definition of rape in Penal Code, said Minister of Defence and Secretary-General of People's Party (PP) of Prime Ministers Mariano Rajoy, María Dolores de Cospedal, in an interview with Radio station COPE.

The five accused men had previously been sentenced to nine years in prison in District Court of Navarre in Pamplona for repeated sexual abuse, taking advantage of victim's unprotected position (an 18-year-old). The prosecutor had accused 27-and 28-year-old accused of violent sexual assault and demanded prison sentences of almost 23 years. The judges did not see offence of rape because, as stated in judgment, re had been neir blows nor threats. One of three judges even spoke out for acquittal, but was overvoted.

In July 2016, five men had pushed young woman whom y had met shortly before at celebrations on edge of bull-bustle of Pamplona, into a dark hallway after midnight. They n filmed how y went about young woman and shared recordings with ors via WhatsApp. The group that called La Manada ( pack) boasted with deed. The men protested that passive young woman had voluntarily taken on shots – differently than she later said.

After verdict was announced, thousands in Spanish cities went to streets to brea ir anger. Women chanted: "If you don't kill us, you don't believe us!" Barcelona's leftist mayor Ada Colau was among about 6,000 demonstrators from Catalan capital. "The verdict reflects Machismo in our society," she complained. The lawyers on both sides announced ir appeal.

Date Of Update: 28 April 2018, 12:02