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Charges laid in Tugce case

February 3, 2015

State prosecutors in Germany have filed charges against the attacker of Tugce Albayrak. The Turkish-German student died of wounds in a brutal assault while trying to protect two girls from being harassed.

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Bildergalerie Deutschland Jahresrückblick 2014
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Roessler

Lawyers representing the local government at Offenbach, near Frankfurt, charged Tugce Albayrak's 18-year-old attacker with assault resulting in loss of life.

Judges also suspended a review for keeping the attacker in custody, Offenbach's Public Prosecution Department told journalists on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old allegedly knocked Tugce Albayrak down at a parking lot outside a McDonald's restaurant in Offenbach last November. She had earlier tried to stop him from harassing two other girls. Tugce fell into a coma after suffering severe injuries and was taken off life support two weeks after the incident, on her birthday.

The incident caused a wave of outrage and mourning across Germany. Thousands of people turned out to remember and honor her at her funeral, including Hesse state premier Volker Bouffier and some national politicians.

Offenbach Trauer um junge Frau nach Gewalttat 28.11.2014
Tugce has become an example of civil courage in GermanyImage: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Roessler

"I wish to God that out daughter Tugce rests in peace...She showed great heroism and made a place in the hearts of the German public," Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said in a statement.

While Tugce's death raised questions of public safety, German citizens also praised her exceptional courage. "Where other people looked away, Tugce showed exemplary bravery and civil courage and stood up for victims of violence," German President Joachim Gauck wrote in a letter to Tugce's family.

Thousands of her supporters recently signed a petition demanding that Tugce be honored with the Federal Order of Merit.

mg/rc (dpa, AFP)