PARALIMNI, Cyprus — Twelve Israelis accused in connection with the rape of a 19-year-old British woman were ordered on Thursday to remain in police custody by a court in Cyprus.

The attack was said to have occurred early Wednesday at a hotel in the Cypriot resort town of Ayia Napa where the woman and the Israelis were staying separately.

Judge Tonia Nicolaou removed reporters from the hearing because some of the suspects were minors.

Ioannis Habaris, a lawyer who represents four of those accused, told The Associated Press that prosecutors had informed the court that the British woman had been raped but that it was unclear exactly how many of the suspects had been implicated.

Yossef Wurmbrand, an Israeli Embassy official, said the ages of those accused ranged from 15 to 18. The embassy is monitoring the case closely and was ready to provide support to the suspects and their families, he said.