Swedish prosecutors have ended a rape investigation reportedly linked to Kylian Mbappé's visit to Stockholm in October. In a statement on Thursday, lead investigator Marina Chirakova explained that there was insufficient evidence to continue the investigation, which focused on an incident at a hotel.
"Throughout the investigation, a specific individual was suspected on reasonable grounds of rape and two instances of sexual assault. However, my assessment is that the evidence is not strong enough to proceed, leading to the closure of the investigation," Chirakova stated. "The designated person has not been informed of any suspicion of a crime."
The suspect was never publicly identified by prosecutors, but multiple Swedish media outlets claimed it was Real Madrid forward Mbappé, who was in Stockholm in October during a break in the Spanish La Liga season.
Mbappé's legal team previously dismissed these reports as false. His lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, and his representatives did not respond promptly to requests for comment on Thursday.
In an interview aired last Sunday on French TV station Canal Plus, Mbappé expressed his surprise at being linked to a rape investigation and mentioned that he had not been contacted by Swedish authorities.
"These are unexpected events that suddenly enter your life," Mbappé told Canal Plus. "It's just incomprehensible. I don't feel it affected me because I never considered myself involved."
The 25-year-old footballer traveled to Stockholm on October 10 during an international break, choosing to recover from a thigh injury instead of playing for France in the Nations League. Shortly after, Swedish media reported that he was the subject of a rape investigation. Mbappé called the reports "fake news" on social media, and his team issued a firm denial to AFP.
"These accusations are entirely false and irresponsible, and their spread is unacceptable," the statement read.
At the time, Swedish prosecutors confirmed the initiation of a rape investigation but declined to provide further details, telling the Guardian: "There is nothing else the prosecutor can confirm or deny."
Source link: https://www.theguardian.com
