Two Syrians injured in racist attack in Germany 04/01/2008 00:00

German police have arrested two assailants for a brutal, racist attack on two young Syrians.

4 January 2008

Braunschweig, Germany (dpa) - German police have arrested two assailants for a brutal, racist attack on two young Syrians.

Police said Thursday that one of the victims, 24, was in hospital with serious head injuries after being hit several times with a stone.

The suspects, aged 21 and 23, were drunk at the time of their Wednesday evening rampage in the northern city of Braunschweig.

It began with the assailants using an expletive to taunt the victims as "foreigners." The younger victim, 19, was punched several times in the face.

Braunschweig police described the two suspects as active in a local hooligan gang, but said they were not politically neo-Nazis.

The 21-year-old suspect had already been due to serve 32 months in jail on other charges.

The two suspects also stole sparkling wine and cigarettes from a supermarket just after the assault and two other people have laid a complaint that they were also assaulted by the hooligans Wednesday night.

A policeman was hurt on the hand in a struggle during the arrest of the duo the same evening.