Video made in support of UCLA water polo player accused of rape

By Kate Mather and Mark Kellam

April 26, 2013 9:48 AM PT

Supporters of a UCLA water polo player arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting another student have created a YouTube video proclaiming his innocence.

The 76-second video—titled “Hakop Kaplanyan - Innocence 2013”—lauds Kaplanyan’s athletic accomplishments, calling him “dedicated, intelligent, honest, optimistic and caring.”

The freshman “is facing a rough obstacle,” people in the video say, “being accused of actions that he did not commit.”

“Our friend Hakop is trying to prove his innocence,” they said. “So we are all coming together--friends, family, classmates and teammates--to project one truth, one belief, one voice: innocence.”

The video, posted April 15, has been viewed more than 57,000 times.

Kaplanyan was arrested April 2, the same day an acquaintance filed a report with campus police alleging he raped her in his dorm room.

He was due in court for arraignment on Thursday, but Los Angeles prosecutors said they have declined to file charges. Prosecutors, however, said that may change.

“All we can say is the matter is under review for filing consideration,” said Shiara Davila-Morales, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office.

Kaplanyan, who is at home in Glendale and out of jail on $200,000 bail, told the Glendale News-Press the future of the case is uncertain.

“We aren’t sure of anything that’s going on,” he told the newspaper in a phone interview.

His attorney, Berc Agopoglu, said he will try to get UCLA to re-admit his client, according to a posting on his law firm’s Facebook page.

“That’s what I’m looking forward to,” Kaplanyan said.

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