8 Men Under The Custody Of German Authorities For Suspected Involvement In The New Year's Eve Sexual Attacks In Cologne
Eight men were placed in the custody of German security officials for their alleged involvement in the mass violence and sexual abuse that took place in Cologne, Germany during the New Year's Eve celebration, CNN reported Tuesday.
According to the report, Ulrich Bremer, spokesperson for the Cologne Prosecutor's Office, confirmed that at least one of the men was accused of robbery and groping while another two were charged with theft alone. Bremer added that some of these individuals were already granted asylum by the German government while others were still waiting for their asylum applications to be granted.
Earlier police reports revealed that up to 1,000 men that were repeortedly of Arab or North African origin were under the influence of alcohol when the incident took place. They have been suspected as the perpetrators that attacke women during the New Year's Eve celebrations at the city's railway station and cathedral. While there were 21 previously identified suspects, only eight were officially place into custody by the Cologne Police.
Independent News reported that two suspects were arrested at Kerpen's refugee accommodation area for sexual assault and robbery. One of the suspects was a 22-year-old Algerian asylum seeker. The report revealed that Cologne Police were able to confiscate "two mobile phones that could be linked to the attacks on New Year's Eve."
"Current investigations indicate that one of the phones was stolen in the course of a sexual attack by a large group. The second phone was stolen by a pickpocket," said a spokesperson of the Cologne Police.
Another suspect was arrested outside Cologne's cathedral after he was caught by police officers carrying a mobile phone that was believed to be stolen on Dec. 31.
"A total of 883 people have filed 776 criminal complaints relating to New Year's Eve in Cologne, including 497 reporting 378 sexual assaults and three rapes," the report showed.