An excess of violence by two girls at the train station in Rastatt (Baden-Württemberg) last Sunday evening caused bewilderment - and prompted police investigations. Officials became aware of the incident through a video that was circulating on social networks.
It shows how two teenagers on a platform use brute force to bring down a 14-year-old girl after an argument and then kick the victim's torso, head and face numerous times. At least one other person filmed the act from close range and did not intervene – other witnesses also did nothing, according to the police. The 14-year-old was injured in the attack and received medical treatment. "There was no danger to life," said Wolfgang Kramer, spokesman for the responsible police headquarters in Offenburg, the star.
The investigators secured the circulating video recordings and were able to identify the young attackers - they are only 13 years old and, like the victim, "all known to the police", according to the police, among other things because of violent crimes.
Shortly before the attack in Rastatt train station, the 13-year-old is said to have attacked the one-year-old victim in neighboring Bietigheim, also in the vicinity of the train station. In addition, the 14-year-old was also involved in a violent altercation in Gaggenau, also near Rastatt, on Saturday, but here with another 13-year-old. In this case, however, the victim of Rastatt and Bietigheim is also being investigated for bodily harm. According to the information, there are also video recordings of the attacks, and the police have already been able to identify some of the film ends.
What is not yet clear is the motive for the acts of violence. According to current knowledge, the victims and perpetrators know each other at least fleetingly. The officials are also checking whether the crime is related to an incident from November 2022 in Karlsruhe. At that time, too, a beating attack by young people on a girl was filmed in a subway station.
In the case of Rastatt, the police are investigating the two attackers on suspicion of dangerous bodily harm, but also because of possible failure to provide assistance against the witnesses who did not intervene or dial the emergency number.
"We appeal to at least call 110 for help in such cases and to monitor the situation," said police officer Kramer to the star. He called on witnesses to the crimes in Gaggenau, Bietigheim and Rastatt to contact the investigators.
The police do not want to provide any further information on the identity of the accused girls, with the exception of their age - the personal rights of young suspects enjoy special protection in Germany.
The 13-year-old need not fear criminal consequences. According to the Criminal Code, you are considered innocent. When the case has been determined, the public prosecutor's office hands over the files to the responsible youth welfare office. It then decides on further measures, which can range from socio-educational support for the affected families to placing the young people in a home or with a foster family.
Despite the beatings at the weekend in Rastatt - according to police spokesman Kramer, there is no major problem with youth violence in the city of 50,000 inhabitants. "But of course there is a clientele that we have in mind."
The police are taking tips from witnesses to the crime by calling (07222) 7610.
Editor's note: In particular, to protect the personal rights of the young victim, the star does not distribute the video recordings.
Sources: Police Headquarters Offenburg (1), Police Headquarters Offenburg (2), "Badische Latest News", Criminal Code, DPA news agency
