Seven alleged members of Dortmund’s so-called migrant Knappi Gang have gone on trial accused of attempted manslaughter after investigators uncovered a violent mobile phone video showing a group attack on several victims at a bus stop.
The defendants, aged between 16 and 20, appeared at Dortmund Regional Court on Monday to face charges including attempted manslaughter and aggravated assault. Several were brought to court in handcuffs after having been held in pretrial detention since police raids last December.
🇩🇪🔴The "Knappi Gang" of foreigners has been ruthlessly beating victims, including on video them film themselves, in the German city of Dortmund,
1 Syrian and 1 Eritrean were arrested by specialized SEK raid police. 3 Germans have also been arrested. However, the report from… pic.twitter.com/HqZVvKUaRf
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) December 8, 2025The case centers on an attack last August in which prosecutors say five men were assaulted by members of the group. The young men are of German, Syrian, Afghan and Eritrean nationality.
A video of the attack, later found on a mobile phone, appears to show the late-night assault in which several young men surround victims on the ground. One victim can be seen lying defenseless as attackers crowd around him and kick him in the head. The gang is accused of pepper-spraying their victims, forcing them to the ground and kicking and punching them on the floor.
According to Bild, the alleged main perpetrators are Faiz G., 20, and Abdul-Kadir A., 18, who are accused of forcing victims to the ground. A 17-year-old, Abolfazl A., is alleged to have used pepper spray to incapacitate them.
Dortmund. „Fick seine Mutter, stech’ ihn!“, „Ey, lass mich auch!“
Eine brutale "Jugendbande" (u.a. Syrer, Afghanen, Eritreer) steht seit heute vor Gericht. Sie quälten ihre Opfer zu ihrer Feizeit Belustigung. Für am Boden liegende gab es Karatetritte gegen Kopf, Bauch und… pic.twitter.com/oa5h4ah37B
— loop23 (@realityloop23) May 11, 2026The video also captured the attackers cheering each other on. Bild reported that the teenager filming the assault could be heard saying, “He’s lying on the ground, f*ck his mother, stab him,” while another attacker shouted, “Hey, let me too!” as the assault continued.
The violence included punches to the face, kicks to the stomach and at least one attacker jumping onto an already injured victim’s back. The assault only stopped when a siren could be heard and blue lights appeared nearby.
The victim identified by Bild as Diego F., 17, attended the start of proceedings accompanied by his mother.
The investigation lasted around four months before police moved in. In December, special police units stormed several apartments in Dortmund and arrested the suspects.
WDR reported that investigators believe the Knappi Gang may also be connected to other attacks in Dortmund. Alongside the attempted manslaughter allegations, some defendants face additional charges.
One defendant, Maxim W., 19, is also accused of robbery and illegal possession of weapons. Bild reported that he is allegedly seen in the video delivering karate-style kicks to a victim’s head and stomach.
The victims are expected to appear as witnesses at the end of May.
The trial continues.
