HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The state will be allowed to have the victim in a rape and kidnapping case testify during the preliminary hearing by electronic means over the objection of the defense.

Twenty-year-old Victor Hugo Pedraza is charged with rape, kidnapping, arson, and other charges of a Japanese foreign exchange student.

He’s accused of beating and raping the female who attended Hutchinson Community College. He then set her passport and documents on fire. Police say the victim had been tied to a bed and beaten, then forced into sex twice after telling him no.

The state wants to have the victim testify via video from Japan to avoid the cost of flying her to Hutchinson, which could cost thousands of dollars.

The defense argued against it. The defense does not believe the judge has jurisdiction over someone in a foreign country and says that it may violate the defendant’s right to confrontation. But, Judge Joe McCarville says the defendant doesn’t have confrontation rights for a preliminary hearing because it’s only a probable cause hearing and granted the state’s motion.

John Tracy with the D.A.’s office told the court they will set up the video through Facebook Messenger for the hearing.

Judge McCarville scheduled the hearing for Feb. 22 at 4:00 p.m. — 7 a.m. in Japan.

If the defendant is bound over for trial, the state will be required to fly the victim to the U.S. to testify in person for any trial.