Sexual assaults in Bischofshofen: Eight young people in court!

Sexual assaults in Bischofshofen: Eight young people in court!

In a shocking case of sexual abuse, eight young men, including six teenagers and two young adults, committed crimes against two girls in Bischofshofen. According to the indictment by the Salzburg public prosecutor's office, which was announced on Wednesday, the acts occurred on December 25, 2023, during a party at which the girls were severely impaired by alcohol. The defendants, aged between 16 and 19, are said to have taken advantage of the defenseless victims' condition and forced them to perform sexual acts. Photos and videos of the attacks were also created, which were later seized by the police the little newspaper reported.

The indictment includes serious allegations such as sexual abuse and coercion. The two victims have suffered serious consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder, which could significantly increase the penalties for the perpetrators. If convicted, most of the defendants face prison sentences of up to 7.5 years, while one of the young adults could spend up to 15 years behind bars. It is also noted that all of the accused had a criminal record at the time of the crimes, although some of them had already been convicted of other crimes, including a serious assault on a 22-year-old Kosovar meinkreis.at points out.

Serious allegations and legal consequences

The current case arouses great public interest and raises questions about responsibility and the requirements for underage perpetrators. So far, the defendants have exercised their right to refuse to testify. The trial will be heard before the jury of the Salzburg Regional Court, although a trial date has not yet been set. Those involved are Serbs as well as Turks and Austrians with a migration background, which could fuel the discussion about integration issues again. There is great outrage over these acts and the legal consequences are likely to cause debate in the coming years.