Earlier today, Decapitated were formally charged by the State of Washington with rape. According to The Spokesman-Review, guitarist Waclaw Kieltyka and vocalist Rafal Piotrowski have been charged with second-degree rape, while drummer Michal Lysejko and bassist Hubert Wiecek have been charged with third-degree rape. The charges stem from an incident that occured after their August 31st show in Spokane, WA where a woman alleged she was kept on their bus and raped.
Since the initial arrest, Decapitated have denied these claims. Last week, the band's attorney Steven Graham released a statement saying they have a witness who saw the accuser enter the bus on her own free will and noted“The accuser has a documented history of providing false information to the police dating back to 2014.” Moments ago, the band posted another official statement responding to the rape charges, this time saying the original officer on the case noted there was no probable cause for rape:
An update – following extradition from California to Washington, the band has now been charged. We’d like to emphasise; the Spokane Police Department has pressed charges as procedural formality, without doing so, they would be forced to release band – this is not a conviction or any indication of guilt or innocence.
Once again, we ask that everyone wait for each party’s case to be presented and await the court’s decision. With that said, whilst cases are being prepared on both sides, some facts are indisputable at this point – that the original officer who took the complaint from the accuser stated, "I do not have probable cause that a rape occurred”, and it’s taken a full 30 days to file charges, which is right up against the point at which the defendants would legally have had to be released.
The band firmly refutes the allegations and are confident that once the facts and evidence have been seen and heard, they will be released and able to return home.
Individuals who were present on the night in question with information about the case are asked to reach out to the defense lawyer, Steve Graham of Spokane, Washington.
Recently, a criminal defense lawyer unrelated to the chase has weighed in on how this case may unfold and what it may mean for the band's future as far as returning to the United States anytime soon.
