Yemeni visitor arrested for sexual harassment at Oktoberfest!

Yemeni visitor arrested for sexual harassment at Oktoberfest!

In a tragic incident at Oktoberfest in Munich, a 49-year-old man from Yemen is accused of sexually harassing a 21-year-old woman from North Rhine-Westphalia. The incident occurred on the evening of September 23, 2025, at around 11:30 p.m., in a festival tent. According to the victim's statements, the man is said to have grabbed her private area above her clothing several times against her will. The woman informed the security service, who immediately alerted the police. Everyone involved waited in front of the festival tent for the officers to arrive.

After consultation with the public prosecutor's office, the Yemeni man was reported for rape and taken to the Wiesnwache, where he was ultimately arrested. He was then transferred to the Munich police headquarters detention center. An investigating judge is expected to decide on Tuesday whether to impose pre-trial detention against him tz reported.

Increasing number of sexual crimes at Oktoberfest

This incident fits into a worrying overall picture regarding the security situation at Oktoberfest. Police have noted an alarming increase in sexual offenses this season. The police originally reported six registered rapes, which was twice as many as in the previous two years. However, the numbers have since been revised to a total of 15 rapes. Of these, eight incidents took place directly on the festival grounds or in the adjacent Bavaria Park, while the remaining seven cases happened on the way home or after visiting “After Wiesn”. t online reported.

The press spokeswoman for the Munich I public prosecutor's office, Anne Leiding, explained that seven cases are currently open. Charges have already been filed in one case, while investigations against known perpetrators are ongoing in the other six cases. This increase in rapes leads to an increased willingness to report sexual offenses at the Oktoberfest.

Background and investigations

The difference between the initially reported six and the ultimately identified 15 rapes is caused by two main reasons. On the one hand, the victims do not always contact the police immediately, and on the other hand, suspicion of sexual offenses can only arise through further questioning in other proceedings. Police have also noted that video interviews of victims are often ordered to avoid face-to-face hearings in court.

A total of 73 sexual offenses have been recorded at Oktoberfest to date, indicating a worrying development in terms of security at the event. Creating a safe environment for festival visitors therefore remains one of the central challenges for the city of Munich during Oktoberfest.