Former Arsenal player Partey granted bail on rape charges
The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022, when he was an Arsenal player.
Partey was charged four days after leaving the Gunners when his contract expired at the end of June.
The midfielder stood with his arms behind his back in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court, wearing a black zip-neck jumper.
British police said they first received reports of an allegation of rape in February 2022.
Partey's lawyer Jenny Wiltshire previously said he "denies all the charges against him", adding he welcomed "the opportunity to finally clear his name".
Partey joined Arsenal for £45 million ($60 million) from Atletico Madrid in October 2020.
He appeared 52 times for the Gunners last season, scoring four goals. Overall he played 167 games for the club, scoring nine times.
Partey has also made 51 appearances for Ghana.
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Euronews
a day ago
- Euronews
Ex-Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey granted bail on rape charges
Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey was granted conditional bail on Tuesday after appearing in a London court on rape and sexual assault charges. The 32-year-old Ghanaian national appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court, charged with five counts of rape against two women, and a charge of sexual assault against a third woman. The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022. The conditions of Partey's bail include that he cannot contact any of the women and must notify police of any permanent changes of address or international travel. Partey is a free agent after his contract at Arsenal expired at the end of June. He is reportedly set to join Spanish club Villarreal. "I understand he's no longer employed in this country and playing in Spain now," Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told the court as bail conditions were discussed. Partey arrived at court wearing a dark zip-up jumper and carrying a suit jacket. In court, he stood with his arms behind his back in the dock. His lawyer Jenny Wiltshire previously said Partey "denies all the charges against him" and that he welcomed "the opportunity to finally clear his name". Police said their investigation into Partey was opened in February 2022 when they first received a report of rape. He was charged on 4 July — days after his Arsenal contract expired. Partey is due to appear at London's Old Bailey court on 2 September. He joined Arsenal in 2020 for £45.3 million (€52.1 million) from Spanish club Atletico Madrid. He won the Spanish title and the Europa League during his time at Atletico and was part of an Arsenal team that finished runner-up in each of the last three Premier League seasons. Partey has also played 51 games for Ghana in his career. A spokesperson for Arsenal previously said: "The player's contract ended on 30 June. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case."
France 24
a day ago
- France 24
Former Arsenal player Partey granted bail on rape charges
The 32-year-old Ghana international has been charged with five counts of rape against two women, as well as a charge of sexual assault against a third woman. The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022, when he was an Arsenal player. Partey was charged four days after leaving the Gunners when his contract expired at the end of June. The midfielder stood with his arms behind his back in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court, wearing a black zip-neck jumper. British police said they first received reports of an allegation of rape in February 2022. Partey's lawyer Jenny Wiltshire previously said he "denies all the charges against him", adding he welcomed "the opportunity to finally clear his name". Partey joined Arsenal for £45 million ($60 million) from Atletico Madrid in October 2020. He appeared 52 times for the Gunners last season, scoring four goals. Overall he played 167 games for the club, scoring nine times. Partey has also made 51 appearances for Ghana.
France 24
2 days ago
- France 24
Stella Rimington, first woman to lead UK's MI5 dies at 90
Rimington, who led MI5 from 1992 to 1996, was widely believed to be the inspiration behind the female role of M in the James Bond movies, played by UK star Judi Dench. She was the first director general of the intelligence service who was publicly named, as before Rimington's appointment in 1992, MI5 chiefs were never officially identified or photographed. Publication of her identity caused a press frenzy. "As the first avowed female head of any intelligence agency in the world, Dame Stella broke through long-standing barriers and was a visible example of the importance of diversity in leadership," the current MI5 director general Ken McCallum said in a statement. "Her leadership ushered in a new era of openness and transparency about the work MI5 does to keep this country safe, a legacy that continues to this day." MCallum presented his condolences to Rimington's husband, two daughters, and her whole family after her death on Sunday. In a statement, her family said: "She died surrounded by her beloved family and dogs and determinedly held on to the life she loved until her last breath." Born on May 13, 1935, in the southern London district of South Norwood, Rimington was first employed as a part-time typist at the British embassy in Delhi, having accompanied her diplomat husband to India. She then joined MI5 in a full-time post in 1969. Dubbed the "housewife superspy", the agency said Rimington had held various roles including in counter-subversion, counter-espionage and counter-terrorism. During her time as director general, the agency "underwent far-reaching transformation", the statement said. It also moved its headquarters and "instituted a policy of greater public openness to demystify the work of MI5, including beginning a programme of releasing MI5 files to The National Archives". But Rimington triggered controversy when she published her memoirs "Open Secret" in 2001 after her retirement, with some accusing her of treason and MI5 of trying to block the publication. "It was quite upsetting because suddenly you go from being an insider to being an outsider and that's quite a shock," she told The Guardian daily newspaper at the time. But she added: "I've never been one to retreat at the first whiff of gunshot." Another woman, Eliza Manningham-Butler, took up the helm of MI5 between 2002-2007. And Blaise Metreweli was named in June as the first female head of the UK's overseas spy service MI6.
