- Hostage process: 23-year-old denies charges
A 23-year-old defendant has denied in court allegations that he kidnapped a Berlin student and repeatedly raped her in an apartment in the Black Forest. "I did not force her to have sex," he told his lawyer.
The 23-year-old also disputed the allegation that he threatened the 18-year-old with a starter pistol before their joint trip from Berlin. He is accused of, among other things, kidnapping and multiple counts of aggravated rape.
Investigations revealed that the two had met on Mallorca during a summer vacation last year and started a relationship. They had arranged to meet in February in the 18-year-old's apartment in Berlin. The man is said to have abducted her from there, tied up in his car, to the Black Forest town of Steinach and held her there for days.
The defendant denied that the room in the Black Forest apartment was set up like a prison. "The room was not locked."
He said he had been out with the 18-year-old several times during their stay in the Black Forest, holding hands in stores: "We're walking hand in hand through the aisles," he said, referring to a video from an Offenburg drugstore that was recorded during the time of the alleged crime. He admitted to having sex, but claimed it was consensual.
The 23-year-old German is in custody and was led into the courtroom in handcuffs. The trial began in July and is now scheduled to end in November. The woman is also expected to testify. The prosecution is seeking a prison sentence of between 5 and 15 years.
The Commission, in its role, is expected to adopt implementing acts that will outline the specific application rules for this Regulation. The implementing acts are crucial in ensuring a uniform interpretation and application of the Regulation across all member states.
