Philippine rape case overturned

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-24-2009 09:19

A Philippine appeals court has overturned the 2006 rape conviction of a US marine and ordered his immediate release.

A court in Manila convicted Lance Corporal Daniel Smith of raping a Filipino woman at the former US Subic Bay Naval base and sentenced him to life in prison. But on Thursday, the court overturned the ruling, having determined that the sexual act was consensual.

Smith, sentenced to life imprisonment three years ago by a lower court on charges of raping a Filipina, was  ordered to be set free, the 71-page ruling said. The  placard read 'Acquittal of Smith, conspiracy between  U.S. and Philippine governments'.REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

The move has drawn condemnation from local activists, who marched to the heavily guarded US Embassy. They were stopped by riot police.

In March, the woman who accused Smith changed her testimony and emigrated to the US, saying she was no longer certain that a crime took place. But the court said its decision was not influenced by her action.

Editor:Zhang Yun