Seven people, including five police officers, were charged yesterday in connection to the alleged rape of a 29-year-old woman on Rhodes, sources said.

A Bulgarian woman, who was arrested last Thursday for being in the country illegally, has accused three policemen of raping her as she was held in custody. The woman claims she was raped at one of the officers’ home and at a police station on the island. Two policemen have been charged with rape and abuse of power while a third officer was accused of being an accomplice. They said the woman fabricated the claims to avoid being deported.

The head of the police station as well as the female guard on duty when the alleged rape occurred have also been charged with abuse of power. Two businessmen who helped bring the woman to the island are facing charges of human trafficking and running a prostitution ring.