Attorney Says UCLA Water Polo Player Accused Of Rape Is 'Completely Innocent'
WESTWOOD (CBSLA.com) — The attorney representing a freshman UCLA water polo player accused of raping a female student released a statement Tuesday morning.
Hakop Jack Kaplanyan was arrested without incident on April 2 after the alleged victim reported the incident to campus police. The alleged rape took place at the suspect's residence hall and reportedly involved a female friend.
Kaplanyan's attorney, Berc Agopoglu, made the following statement on Facebook:
As the Attorney for Hakop Kaplanyan I wanted to inform the public that we respect the integrity of the ongoing investigation by the UCLA Police Department. As an attorney working with Los Angeles County Judges and Prosecutors for 14 years on hundreds of cases, I anticipate that this case will be examined fairly and objectively as it has been my experience so far with them. Needless to say, Mr. Kaplanyan and his family are devastated and shocked by the recent developments. They kindly request their privacy be respected and would like this matter be resolved fairly and expeditiously. We thank the Los Angeles News Agencies in reporting the matter as objectively as possible and are appreciative of their fair approach while attempting to inform the public of the developments. My Client and I informed Dean of Students Mr. Robert J. Naples and Assistant Dean of Students, Ms. Valery Holtom that we want to appeal the interim suspension of Mr. Kaplanyan's attendance at UCLA. Mr. Kaplanyan is completely innocent. Mr. Kaplanyan does have his legal rights and at this point he is reserving them for future purposes. We believe this matter will be resolved once the investigation is completed within its due course.
Kaplanyan was booked into the Los Angeles County Jail last Wednesday and was released on $200,000 bail.
University officials said Kaplanyan, who is due in court April 25, has been suspended.
"Kaplanyan, 18 and an undeclared freshman from Glendale, Calif., has been suspended from the university, subject to an appeal," the school said in a statement.
Kaplanyan, a graduate of Herbert Hoover High School in Glendale, was redshirted during the 2012 season. He plays the "attacker" position, according to UCLA's water polo roster.
Last fall, Kaplanyan was among hundreds of UCLA athletes named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll.
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