Overview

• In Vienna, a panel acquitted all ten defendants accused of abusing a then‑12‑year‑old, citing major inconsistencies between the girl’s police statements and her testimony in court.
• Presiding judge Daniel Schmitzberger said the police interview contained no evidence of intimidation and that the girl had not reported threats or beatings, with chats and a friend’s account reinforcing doubts.
• In Bielefeld, judges cleared all defendants in an alleged group rape near a club after finding they could not exclude consensual sex, despite videos showing the acts and spectators filming.
• A toxicology expert in the Bielefeld case estimated the woman’s blood alcohol at 0.6‰ and said the effect of ecstasy had likely waned, leading the court to conclude her will was not proven impaired; prosecutors and defense had both argued for acquittal.
• Separately in Frankfurt, a 57‑year‑old on trial admitted sex with his daughter’s schoolfriend but said he believed she consented, while the indictment describes ‘shock paralysis’; both Vienna and Bielefeld verdicts are not yet final and could face review.