A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the alleged rape of two teenage exchange students in Gera last November.
Police announced on Tuesday, August 6 that the second suspect, a 22-year-old man, was apprehended on August 1 during a border check in Baden-Württemberg. He was subsequently brought before a magistrate and has been in custody since.
The first main suspect, a 30-year-old man, was arrested on July 17 and appeared in Gera’s regional court the same day. However, his arrest warrant was lifted under certain conditions. He must now regularly report to the police and is banned from attending public events. The court justified this decision by stating that these conditions reduce the risk of reoffending and the suspect’s social ties lower the likelihood of flight.
Details of the incident
The victims, two young women aged 17 and 18, reported to the police that the assault took place in an apartment on Heinrichstraße in Gera after a dance event. The incident was initially reported by a witness.
The teenagers were in Gera as part of a student exchange program in late 2022.
Following the incident, police conducted a thorough investigation, including seven searches in December 2023.
The investigation led to concrete suspicions against three Syrian men aged 22, 25, and 30. The 30-year-old and the 22-year-old are considered the main perpetrators and are charged with rape. The third suspect is under investigation for sexual assault.
