The Hamburg police temporarily detained two brothers who appear to be violent and homophobic. The 16-year-old and the 18-year-old are suspected of involvement in several assaults, insults, and threats motivated by homophobia, the officers announced on Thursday in Hamburg.
The investigation began with an assault on a 29-year-old man in Hamburg’s Stadtpark in early October this year. He was subjected to homophobic insults by two young men and was hit with a firecracker, as reported. The projectile narrowly missed him. The victim managed to flee and was uninjured.
Polizei durchsuchten Wohnung des 16-Jährigen am Mittwoch
The police identified the 18-year-old as a suspect and, in early November, searched the young man’s apartment, seizing evidence. This led officers to the suspect’s two-year-younger brother. A search of the brother’s room at the parental home was conducted on Wednesday, and among the items seized were “pyrotechnic items.”
Both brothers have since been released. Investigations are ongoing. The police did not provide further details about the suspects’ identities.
Authorities now believe the young men are responsible for additional similar offenses. The motive is said to be their hatred of homosexuals.
There have already been several queerphobic attacks at the Stadtpark: In May, for example, a 36-year-old man was subjected to “homophobic insults” by a group of about six youths at the corner of Südring/Otto-Wels-Straße and was attacked with tear gas (TheColu.mn reported). (AFP)
