Three Australian men have been arrested over an alleged rape of an 18-year-old Norwegian woman in the toilets of a nightclub in Split, Croatia.
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According to the Dalmatia News website the men, aged in their early 20s, have had their passports confiscated but are not currently in custody, pending further investigation.
They were reported to have claimed that the sexual contact with the Norwegian woman was voluntary.
The State Attorney's Office asked that the men be kept in jail for fear they would flee the country, however a judge of the Split County Court released them after taking their passports.
In a statement the State Attorney's Office said that at one point the Norwegian broke free from the men and ran away from the club.
However the Dalmatia News reported that none of the staff noticed anything suspicious, or overheard any argument.
The Australians were located and arrested by police some time after leaving the club.
The woman was taken to the local hospital but was not said to have any injuries that would indicate a violent sexual act.
According to Dalje.com, two of the Australian men were aged 23, and one aged 21. The alleged attack occurred around 1.30am on Thursday July 16.
According to daily newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija, the woman reported the attack to police an hour and a half after it happened, and none of the security guards or other employees had heard any cries for help.
They were interviewed by the Deputy County State Attorney, after which the judge ordered their release.
The State Attorney's Office filed an appeal against the judge's decision not to keep the men in custody.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia said it was providing consular assistance to the men.
"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of the arrest of three Australian men in Croatia and is providing consular assistance, in line with the Consular Services Charter. For privacy reasons we won't be providing any further information," a spokesperson said.
with Megan Levy
