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A court in Cyprus today remanded 12 youths accused of raping of a 19-year-old British tourist at a holiday resort on the island.

The youths, all from Israel and aged between 16 and 18, are alleged to have raped the woman in a hotel room in Ayia Napa on the southeastern coast.

The woman told police the attack happened on Wednesday morning in a hotel room.

According to the complainant, she agreed to go back to one of the men's room where the other 11 men rushed in and launched their attack at the Pambos Napa Rocks hotel.

Speaking through their lawyer the men denied the allegation, and claimed they had been beaten by British holidaymakers, and had their noses broken by police.

Medical examiners said they found bruises and scratches on the woman.

(Image: KATIA CHRISTODOULOU/EPA-EFE/REX) (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

The suspects claim that the complainant is lying and say she was encouraged by another British tourist to contact police.

The men and the alleged victim had been holidaying in Ayia Napa, which is known for its all-night party lifestyle.

The teens, who have not been charged, were taken before a district court in the nearby town of Paralimni on Thursday.

A judge ruled that the 12 should be remanded in custody for eight days, the Cyprus Mail reported.

(Image: KATIA CHRISTODOULOU/EPA-EFE/REX)

(Image: KATIA CHRISTODOULOU/EPA-EFE/REX)

The woman reportedly told police she had gone to a party with one of the group, who she had met three days earlier and slept with previously.

When they went back to his room, she said 11 others rushed in and attacked her at around 3.30am, according to Ynet News in Israel.

In accordance with Cypriot law on rape cases and because some of the suspects are legally minors, proceedings were conducted behind closed doors.

Court documents reportedly state: "The victim had scratches on her lower limbs.

"According to our estimates, the scratches are a result of trauma."

The suspects covered their faces with their T-shirts as they were being escorted in and out of the court building.

One was in tears, according to SigmaLive, a Cypriot news portal.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

The Israel Foreign Ministry confirmed that it is looking into the incident.

"The Israeli consul in Nicosia, Yossi Wurmbrand, is following developments and is in contact with the detainees," the department told The Times of Israel .

"Their families have been updated."

(Image: Publicity Picture)

In 2016, a British tourist was stabbed to death while on a bar crawl in the same popular holiday resort

Estate agent George Low had been out with his friend when he was set upon by two men and stabbed in the neck.

The 22-year-old had been seen chasing a man into an alleyway moments before a gang of four targeted him and friend Ben Barker, then 24, and stabbed them.