Cologne assaults ignite refugee debate
(6 Jan 2016) In addition to widespread shock over the scale and nature of sexual attacks in the city of Cologne on New Year's Eve, the incident has fuelled public debate about Germany's ability to integrate large numbers of migrants. The mood in the city in western Germany is divided. Some 100 people protested on Wednesday against a far-right rally near the train station that numbered less than ten people. More women came forward Wednesday alleging they were sexually assaulted and robbed during New Year's Eve celebrations, as police faced mounting criticism for their handling of the incident. At least 106 criminal complaints have been filed since last week, Cologne police spokesman Christoph Gilles said. The figure has increased from 90 since Tuesday. "At least three quarters have a sexual component. In two cases we are investigating crimes that amount to rape," Gilles told The Associated Press. About 1,000 men described by police as being of "Arab or North African origin" gathered around Cologne's main station, next to the city's famous cathedral, on the night from Thursday to Friday. Smaller groups then surrounded individual women, harassed them and stole their belongings. Police initially failed to mention the assaults in report the following morning, describing the festivities as "largely peaceful." Details of the attacks only emerged over the weekend and calls have grown for a comprehensive review of police actions on the night, after some witnesses claimed that officers didn't stop the attackers. Gilles said police were well prepared on the night, but "surprised" by the scale and aggression of the attacks. Among the angles police are investigating is whether there are any links to similar crimes committed over the past two years in the nearby city of Duesseldorf, where men have groped women to distract them before stealing their belongings. The two cities are 40 kilometres (25 miles) apart. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you... Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
