Asylum seekers 'sexually assaulted women at concert in Germany'

ALAN HALL IN BERLIN

A group of asylum seekers sexually assaulted women at a music concert in the German city of Darmstadt, said police.

Three Pakistani men are already under arrest after 18 women filed complaints that they had been improperly touched, fondled and groped during the festival in the city of Darmstadt. Police have said the number of complainants could rise.

Between two and three more men were still being sought by police as victims received counselling and authorities tried to dampen rising tensions against migrants.

All the complainants said they were “surrounded” by their tormentors before being “touched and fondled” improperly at the annual free Schlossgrabenfestes music festival.

The three arrested men are aged between 28 and 31 and are Pakistanis seeking asylum in Germany. All have been charged with sexual crimes as the hunt continues for their accomplices.

Media reports said that at least 15 more women are expected to come forward to file criminal complaints after they were groped at the festival on sunday where around 100,000 people were in the crowds over the four-day event.

The attacks mirror those in Cologne on New Year’s Eve - when large groups of men sexually attacked hundreds of young women.

Asylum seekers 'sexually assaulted women at concert in Germany' | World | News | London Evening Standard