01:55Germany: Hundreds rally for Russian-German teen allegedly raped by 'foreigners'
Some 700 people demonstrated in front of the Chancellery in Berlin, Saturday, against the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl who told police that she was sexually abused by three "foreigners" earlier in January. Police have stated that there was no evidence of an abduction or rape following the accusations.
Many of the demonstrators were of Russian origin but many German citizens were also present. Several carried placards with slogans such as, "there are no foreign children" and "Lisa, we stand by you."
Several speakers addressed the crowd including the Russian-German teenager's uncle. "What we were confronted with is unfortunately not an isolated case. This is why we stand today for security, protection and the future of our children and women of every origin. Children have no nationality. Children have a big, pure heart which only knows of love and not hatred. It is our duty, to the largest extent possible, to preserve it," he said during his speech.
The teenager went missing earlier in January, with her parents alleging that she was kidnapped by three "southern" men who spoke "broken German." Her guardians later told police that during the 30 hour period that the teenager was missing, she was repeatedly beaten and raped.
The Berlin-Marzahn-based family filed a missing persons report after the teenager's disappearance from Mahlsdorf train station on January 11. Locals found her the next day in Hellersdorf, where her parents picked her up and contacted local law enforcement, telling them the girl's story. However, after police questioned the teenager without her guardians, she reportedly changed statements.
Following a medical examination of the girl, State Criminal Police Office (LKA) released a statement saying that there were no signs that the teenager had been either abducted or raped. The parents have since stated that she was pressured by police to change her statement.
01:55Some 700 people demonstrated in front of the Chancellery in Berlin, Saturday, against the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl who told police that she was sexually abused by three "foreigners" earlier in January. Police have stated that there was no evidence of an abduction or rape following the accusations.
Many of the demonstrators were of Russian origin but many German citizens were also present. Several carried placards with slogans such as, "there are no foreign children" and "Lisa, we stand by you."
Several speakers addressed the crowd including the Russian-German teenager's uncle. "What we were confronted with is unfortunately not an isolated case. This is why we stand today for security, protection and the future of our children and women of every origin. Children have no nationality. Children have a big, pure heart which only knows of love and not hatred. It is our duty, to the largest extent possible, to preserve it," he said during his speech.
The teenager went missing earlier in January, with her parents alleging that she was kidnapped by three "southern" men who spoke "broken German." Her guardians later told police that during the 30 hour period that the teenager was missing, she was repeatedly beaten and raped.
The Berlin-Marzahn-based family filed a missing persons report after the teenager's disappearance from Mahlsdorf train station on January 11. Locals found her the next day in Hellersdorf, where her parents picked her up and contacted local law enforcement, telling them the girl's story. However, after police questioned the teenager without her guardians, she reportedly changed statements.
Following a medical examination of the girl, State Criminal Police Office (LKA) released a statement saying that there were no signs that the teenager had been either abducted or raped. The parents have since stated that she was pressured by police to change her statement.