Carola: Nanny 'was upset after alleged rape'
Swedish singing star and former Eurovision winner Carola Häggkvist has appeared in court to testify against Swedish-Chilean opera singer Tito Beltran, who is accused of raping an 18-year-old nanny in 1999.
Carola was performing with Beltran at the Rhapsody in Rock concert in southern Sweden when the alleged rape occurred.
The star was met at Ystad District Court by a gang of press photographers. Giving evidence, she gave the court her account of meeting the nanny:
"I remember the nanny. She was a normal, straighforward girl," she said.
"My first thought was: how can we go on with this and how will I be able to sing a duet with [Beltran]," she said.
She said she had spoken personally to the nanny about what had happened.
"She was very upset, overwrought, shocked and ashamed. She clearly felt violated," she said.
Following the alleged incident it was decided that Beltran, now 42, would continue on the Rhapsody in Rock tour, partly because the nanny did not want to make a report to the police. Carola continued to sing duets with the opera singer, but refused to hold his hand on stage.
Carola said she was absolutely sure that the nanny believed that she had been the victim of a crime.
"So it wasn't the case that she just regretted sleeping with someone," asked Thomas Bodström, who is representing the nanny.
"No, she was a victim," said Carola.
"Was there any doubt in your mind about whether she was genuine or making it up," asked Bodström, who is a former justice minister.
"No, it was clear that it was for real," replied Carola.
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Carola was performing with Beltran at the Rhapsody in Rock concert in southern Sweden when the alleged rape occurred.
The star was met at Ystad District Court by a gang of press photographers. Giving evidence, she gave the court her account of meeting the nanny:
"I remember the nanny. She was a normal, straighforward girl," she said.
"My first thought was: how can we go on with this and how will I be able to sing a duet with [Beltran]," she said.
She said she had spoken personally to the nanny about what had happened.
"She was very upset, overwrought, shocked and ashamed. She clearly felt violated," she said.
Following the alleged incident it was decided that Beltran, now 42, would continue on the Rhapsody in Rock tour, partly because the nanny did not want to make a report to the police. Carola continued to sing duets with the opera singer, but refused to hold his hand on stage.
Carola said she was absolutely sure that the nanny believed that she had been the victim of a crime.
"So it wasn't the case that she just regretted sleeping with someone," asked Thomas Bodström, who is representing the nanny.
"No, she was a victim," said Carola.
"Was there any doubt in your mind about whether she was genuine or making it up," asked Bodström, who is a former justice minister.
"No, it was clear that it was for real," replied Carola.
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