Warrants issued for four over attack on Greeks 01/10/2007 00:00

1 October 2007

Berlin (dpa) - A magistrate Sunday issued arrest warrants for four young Germans accused of beating up three Greeks in a racially motivated attack in Berlin.

A police spokesman said the four - aged 17 to 20 - were released on bail until until the case comes to court.

The Greeks were set upon by a gang of 13 youths when they stopped to fill their car at a petrol station in the east Berlin suburb of Pankow.

The gang kicked and punched two Greek men and shoved their female companion in the attack, which occurred at 2:40 am on Saturday. The men received hospital treatment for facial injuries.

Witnesses said the group also hurled racial abuse at the Greeks, who were all in their 20s.

Police detained a 20-year-old man near the scene and later questioned 11 other suspects, most of whom were later released.

The warrants issued Sunday relate to charges of aggravated assault, theft and breach of peace.

Germany has witnessed a spate of racially motivated attacks in recent months, targeting people from Asia, Africa and southern Europe.

In a widely reported incident in August, a mob of Germans chased a group of Indians through the east German town of Muegeln and tried to kick down the doors of a pizzeria where they had sought refuge.

DPA

Subject: German news