As reported by Deutschlandfunk, the Frankfurt (Oder) Regional Court has convicted four young men who beat and humiliated homosexuals. The perpetrators were between 16 and 21 years old at the time of the offenses. According to the court, the verdicts were issued for joint dangerous bodily harm and other offenses.
The defendants attacked their victims on the open street, hitting and kicking them. Some of the assaults were filmed with mobile phones. The acts were specifically directed against homosexuals, which the prosecution assessed as base motives. The exact prison sentences were not individually named by the court; they range from several years of juvenile or adult imprisonment.
The case caused a stir in the region because the perpetrators not only physically attacked their victims but also humiliated them. The recordings of the attacks were later shared in chat groups. The police became aware of the perpetrators through tips from the public.
In its reasoning for the verdict, the court stated that the acts were expressions of homophobia and a willingness to use violence. The juvenile chamber of the regional court imposed the sentences taking into account the young age of the defendants. Two of the convicted were young adults at the time of the offense, and two were still juveniles.
The defense had pleaded for milder sentences, citing the young age of the defendants. The prosecution, however, demanded clear prison terms to send a signal against homophobic violence. The verdict is not yet final; the parties can appeal.
The case is part of a series of attacks on homosexuals in Germany. According to crime statistics, the number of recorded hate crimes based on sexual orientation has been rising for years. Experts are calling for more consistent prosecution and more prevention work.
The victims of the attacks received psychological care after the incident. Some of them no longer dared to go out in public out of fear after the assaults. The police in Frankfurt (Oder) have announced that they will increase surveillance at known meeting points of the queer scene.
The trial before the Frankfurt (Oder) Regional Court lasted several months. The defendants partially confessed. The court considered this as a mitigating factor but also emphasized the severity of the acts. According to the court, the verdicts are also intended to have a deterrent effect.
The city of Frankfurt (Oder) reacted with dismay to the acts. The mayor condemned the attacks and expressed sympathy for the victims. Queer organizations in the region called for more safe spaces and better sensitization of the population.
The case shows that homophobic violence is also a problem in smaller cities. The perpetrators partly knew their victims casually or sought them out specifically via social media. The police advise potential victims to be vigilant and to report incidents.
Source: www.deutschlandfunk.de
