Luis Rubiales may face retrial on sexual assault conviction for kissing Jenni Hermoso as Spanish prosecutors target one-year prison sentence after questioning judge's impartiality
Luis Rubiales may face a retrial over his sexual assault conviction after prosecutors questioned the judge's impartiality.
Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault for his kiss on Jennifer Hermoso after the Women's World Cup final. He was €10,800 fined for the kiss - but was spared jail. However, prosecutors have now requested that the trial be annulled re-run, notably arguing that "the right to an impartial judge has been violated."
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AFP
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Prosecutors had been seeking a prison sentence for Rubiales, aiming for one year for sexual assault, and a further 18 months for allegedly attempting to coerce Hermoso into letting the process go. Hermoso is also appealing the sentence.
WHAT PROSECUTORS SAID
Prosecutors said that judge Jose Manuel Fernandez-Prieto "unduly" prevented the case's prosecutor from asking certain questions, and also claim that he ignored evidence. He is said to have repeatedly interrupted individuals involved in the case, too.
AFP
WHAT NEXT?
Prosecutors will hope for a positive outcome to their appeal. If they receive it, a new trial will be scheduled.