
Germany: Army instructor accused of 'abuse' and 'degrading treatment' goes on trial
A German Armed Forces trainer accused of abuse and degrading treatment towards his subordinates appeared in court in the small town of Ahlen, North Rhine-Westphalia, on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old group leader is facing charges for alleged inhuman treatment towards his subordinates, coercion, and abuse of authority which led to bodily injuries during a training course.
"We shouldn't speculate on the reasons ahead of the trial... Basically it is a variety of different reasons, we cannot rule out personal motives. There is nothing that can be excluded for sure but we have to wait for the results of the trial," spokesperson of tank brigade 21 'Lipperland', Martin Waltemathe, said ahead of the trial.
In May, the former instructor has now been forbidden from wearing the military uniform.
The trial in the case will continue on July 3.

A German Armed Forces trainer accused of abuse and degrading treatment towards his subordinates appeared in court in the small town of Ahlen, North Rhine-Westphalia, on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old group leader is facing charges for alleged inhuman treatment towards his subordinates, coercion, and abuse of authority which led to bodily injuries during a training course.
"We shouldn't speculate on the reasons ahead of the trial... Basically it is a variety of different reasons, we cannot rule out personal motives. There is nothing that can be excluded for sure but we have to wait for the results of the trial," spokesperson of tank brigade 21 'Lipperland', Martin Waltemathe, said ahead of the trial.
In May, the former instructor has now been forbidden from wearing the military uniform.
The trial in the case will continue on July 3.