Three Syrians reportedly raped a 27-year-old victim on top of the hood of a parked car in the city of Düsseldorf when she became separated from her friends. Two of the Syrians are on trial, with the case also making headlines because the men are unhappy that a female interpreter has been assigned to them.
The two Syrian nationals, 33-year-old Saad A. and 40-year-old Ahmed A. opened on Tuesday before the Düsseldorf Regional Court. The third suspect in the case remains at large.
During the opening proceedings, Saad A. expressed his discomfort through an interpreter, stating he was “ashamed to be interpreted by a woman.” Both individuals require interpreters during the trial.
Despite his protests, the trial will proceed under a female judge, and both men will be sentenced by her as well if they are found guilty.
The prosecution alleges the assault occurred in the early hours of June 29, 2025, in Düsseldorf’s historic district at Stiftsplatz,
At approximately 2:45 a.m., the woman, who was highly intoxicated, was lifted onto the car’s hood. Prosecutors claim that by this time, it was unmistakably clear the woman was incapacitated by alcohol and “showing almost no reactions.”
The indictment describes a systematic assault where the defendants allegedly took turns raping the woman while two others acted as lookouts. Despite their efforts to hide the assault, a witness walking by saw what was happening.
Other people were also nearby and asked what the suspects were doing, with the one witness stating that Ahmed A. reportedly claimed to know the victim, mocked her drunken state, and said, “She needs this.”
Upon confronting Ahmed A. over this reply, the accused reportedly charged at the witnesses gathered, screaming that he “would also commit a crime against them.”
Bild reports that the witnesses demonstrated bravery and forced the perpetrators to flee. They immediately contacted emergency services and escorted the victim to a police vehicle at the nearby Burgplatz.
Armed with witness statements and other evidence, police arrested Ahmed A. and Saad A. that same night. Investigators obtained DNA evidence from the victim’s body, which is the main piece of evidence in the case besides the witness statements.
Both men face up to 15 years in prison.
