Alleged rape in Halle: Police arrest three juveniles

Victims treated in hospital

The 13-year-old suspect was released again because the age of criminal responsibility in Germany is 14 years. Younger persons are considered not yet criminally responsible in the legal sense. The investigations, including into the backgrounds of the crime and the exact course of events, are being conducted with "high priority."

Two of the girls were admitted as inpatients to a hospital in Halle and received medical treatment, according to police. Two other victims were treated on an outpatient basis. There is no danger to life, the investigators stated. All four girls were also examined by forensic medical experts.

Evidence collection and substance tests

Forensic medical experts also secured traces, police said. During the examinations, according to police, it was also checked whether the girls may have been administered consciousness-altering substances. In addition, it is being examined whether they were under the influence of alcohol or other substances, such as so-called knockout drops.

The police did not provide further details, such as the age of the girls, out of consideration for the investigations and to protect the victims. The officers did not provide more precise information, citing victim protection and the ongoing investigations. The investigations are currently ongoing.

Investigations ongoing with high priority

The police described the incident as "a serious sexual offense to the detriment of several girls." According to a police spokesperson, the crime occurred on Saturday evening in a multi-family residential building in the south of Halle. The acts are said to have taken place in an apartment in the building.

As early as Sunday, the officers had stated: "Weil sie mehrere Mädchen mutmaßlich vergewaltigt haben sollen, hat die Polizei in Halle drei Jugendliche vorläufig festgenommen." The suspects were initially in police custody before they were to be presented to the magistrate on Monday.

Support services for those affected

For affected women and girls as well as their relatives, the helpline "Violence against Women" is available free of charge around the clock at the number 116 016. An overview of support services in Saxony-Anhalt is also available at www.gewaltfreies-sachsen-anhalt.de.

The police also pointed out that all traces had been secured forensically. The investigators are also checking whether the victims were tested for alcohol or substances influencing consciousness and will. These tests could provide indications of possible prior manipulation.

Background: Age of criminal responsibility in Germany

According to police, the investigations are focused on reconstructing the exact course of the crime as well as on possible accomplices. The work is being carried out with "high priority," according to the police. The question of how the suspects and the victims came into contact is also part of the ongoing investigations.

The city of Halle and the responsible authorities were informed of the incident. The Halle Police Inspection is coordinating the investigations with the public prosecutor's office. The officers have so far provided no further information about possible backgrounds, relationships between those involved, or the exact number of criminal acts.

Reporting on the case was taken up, among others, by MDR (Anja Höhne, Maren Wilczek) as well as other agencies. The sources consistently report four alleged victims, four suspects aged 13 to 16, and three provisional arrests.

Should the suspicion against the three juveniles of criminal responsibility age be substantiated, they will have to answer for the suspicion of rape. The police announced that they would provide information on the progress of the investigations. However, due to the ongoing proceedings and victim protection, no further details are currently being made public.