Peter Kimlin, seen here playing for the Brumbies, has been released after helping police with their questions. Picture: Supplied
FORMER Wallaby Peter Kimlin has been released from police custody after being questioned along with five other players from his French rugby team in a gang rape inquiry.
Kimlin and two other Grenoble players were freed late on Wednesday (Paris time) after being detained that morning.
Peter Kimlin denied reports that he had been sacked. Picture: GettySource:Getty Images
Three other players had their custody prolonged for further questioning, according to a statement from the prosecutor overseeing the case.
It did not say if Kimlin, 31, had been cleared of involvement in the gang rape that allegedly took place after a match Grenoble played in Bordeaux against the local team on Saturday, March 11.
New Zealand back rower rugby player Dylan Hayes was released. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
Grenoble’s Irish centre Chris Farrell (R) was released. Picture: AFPSource:AFP
But the former ACT Brumby player tweeted after his release that he was innocent.
“I’m finally home after a long day helping the police with their investigation,” he wrote.
“I want to clarify that I wasn’t arrested. I was purely at the police station to help establish a timeline,” he said.
Kimlin was released along with New Zealand back rower Dylan Hayes and Irish centre Chris Farrell.
I’m finally home after a long day helping the police with their investigation.
— Peter Kimlin (@peterkimlin) March 22, 2017
I want to clarify that I wasn’t arrested. I was purely at the police station to help establish a timeline.
— Peter Kimlin (@peterkimlin) March 22, 2017
I also want to let you know that I haven’t been fired by @FCGrugby as per @smh
— Peter Kimlin (@peterkimlin) March 22, 2017
The three players kept in police custody were Irish prop Denis Coulson, New Zealander Rory Grice and French hooker Loick Jammes.
The case centres on allegations made by a 21-year-old woman who said she was drugged at a nightclub and taken to a hotel where players were staying.
Officials have provided no details of what happened the night of the alleged rape during post-match festivities in Bordeaux.
But local media reported that the alleged victim told police she woke in a hotel room and discovered that several players were engaged in sexual activities with her.
A lawyer for Irish rugby prop Denis Coulson said his client was “serene”. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
New Zealand back rower rugby player Rory Grice. Picture: TwitterSource:Supplied
A lawyer for Denis Coulson said that her client was “serene” because the allegations against him and his teammates did not stack up.
“It was an evening between consenting young people. We have provided elements that will enable (investigators) to establish the truth of this consent,” lawyer Michele Girot-Marc told local paper Le Dauphine Libere.
French rugby hooker Loick Jammes. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
The six players were all suspended last week by the club ahead of their questioning by police.
Kimlin is the second Australian rugby player to spend time in custody in France in recent weeks.
Another former Wallaby, James O’Connor, spent a weekend in jail after being arrested with former All Black Ali Williams by undercover police outside a Parisian nightclub on February 25.
RC Toulon’s Australian fullback James O’Connor (R) vies for the ball with Australian lock Peter Kimlin. Picture: AFPSource:AFP
O’Connor was fined for use of cocaine while Williams was charged, and will front court, after being accused by police of purchasing 2.4 grams of cocaine from a dealer outside the nightclub.
The 26-year-old was suspended by his Top 14 club Toulon at the time but returned to training on Tuesday.
He is unlikely to have his contract renewed with Toulon.
Originally published as Rugby star released, tweets innocence
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