Four boys aged 13–16 suspected of raping four under-14 girls in a Halle apartment
Four boys between 13 and 16 are suspected of raping four girls under 14 in an apartment in Halle, Germany. Two of the victims required hospitalisation.
What happened
On Saturday evening, four girls were the victims of what police called a "serious sexual offence" in an apartment in a multi-family house in the south of Halle, Saxony-Anhalt. The four suspected perpetrators, all minors themselves, are aged 13 to 16. Two of the victims were admitted to a local hospital for inpatient treatment; the other two received outpatient care.
Two of the victims were admitted to a Halle hospital for medical treatment.
The suspects
Three of the four suspects are older than 14 and therefore of criminal responsibility under German law. They were provisionally arrested and placed in custody. The 13-year-old, who cannot be prosecuted, was released. According to Blick, the suspects are from Mali and Portugal. No details have been released about the relationship between the accused and the victims.
Investigation underway
Police are treating the case with "high priority" but have withheld further details, citing victim protection and the ongoing investigation. Forensic experts have secured traces from the scene. Tests are being conducted to determine whether the girls were given alcohol or substances that affect consciousness and will.
The investigations are being conducted with high priority.
Next steps
The three suspects who are of criminal age are expected to be brought before a magistrate on Monday.
