London – Arab Canada News

This morning, Thursday, the opening sessions began in the anticipated trial of five players from Canada's under-20 national hockey team, accused in a case of group sexual assault dating back to 2018, which has stirred significant controversy in Canadian sports and political circles.

The trial is taking place in a court in London, Ontario, where judges and jurors listened to the opening arguments, while the prosecution is preparing to present evidence and testimonies supporting the victim's account, who was 18 years old at the time of the alleged incident.

According to reports, the case relates to an incident alleged to have occurred in a hotel in London during the hockey team's victory celebrations, where the woman accuses the five of taking turns sexually assaulting her while she was in a state of complete unconsciousness.

This case, which came to light in 2022 after a journalistic investigation, has sparked extensive debate about the male culture in Canadian hockey, prompting many government officials to call for strict accountability and a comprehensive review of protection policies within national sports organizations.

This trial is considered one of the most closely followed criminal cases in Canada recently, given the players' fame and their association with a national symbol team, in addition to the implications it carries regarding justice for survivors of sexual violence in sports contexts.

The trial is expected to last for several weeks, amidst widespread media attention, as witnesses, including the victim and forensic experts, will testify before the judges issue their verdict in a case viewed as a critical test for the Canadian justice system in high-profile sexual assault cases.