Trial begins in Hesse pool case: Two Syrian cousins accused of harassing teenage girls
Two Syrian cousins, aged 19 and 29, appeared before the Amtsgericht Gelnhausen to face charges of sexually harassing five girls, aged 13 to 15, at a municipal pool in June 2025, and they denied the allegations.
In Gelnhausen, the Amtsgericht opened a trial involving two Syrian cousins, one 19 and the other 29, accused of sexually harassing five minor girls aged between 13 and 15 at the city’s public swimming pool in June 2025. Both defendants rejected the accusations, suggesting they might have been confused with other persons. Because the younger cousin falls under the Jugendgerichtsgesetz, the case is being tried before a youth court.
The hearing was originally intended for the spring of 2026 but was postponed when the assigned judge became ill. The opening session took place on Monday, and the court has set three further dates to continue the proceedings.
Why it matters
The case highlights how German courts address alleged sexual offenses against minors involving immigrant defendants.
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