A man has been arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting a young girl after sneaking into a school toilet. The Afghan migrant, 20, is alleged to have attacked the 11-year-old girl while a male accomplice, 19, allegedly held her down in the horrifying incident in the German city of Koblenz.
The schoolgirl told her older sister of the ordeal two days later. The family reported the incident to the police after tracking the man down to a local house. Authorities say that the attacker has been arrested, while a 19-year-old man continues to be investigated for his role in the alleged assault.
It remains unclear how the pair allegedly managed to gain access to the school property.
The attacker has since been charged with committing sexual acts against the child on school grounds in relation to the attack which took place on April 28.
He was arrested on May 4 and remains in police custody on remand.
The Koblenz public prosecutor’s office confirmed the nationality of the detained migrant suspect to SWR.
Prosecutors say police were investigating the suspect over another alleged sexual offence.
He has also previously been fined for possessing a blank-firing pistol without a licence.
His alleged accomplice has not yet been apprehended although investigations are ongoing.
The immigration status of the two men has not been shared and it remains unclear how long the pair were in Germany before the attack.
Police said they only made the case public after false images and rumours about an alleged perpetrator began circulating on social media.
Investigators said the misinformation had fuelled public concern, although “the situation has since calmed down again”.
Officers have refused to provide further details, saying they do not want to jeopardise the continuing investigation.
The school involved has also been in contact with the police and has set up a crisis team to speak to pupils and parents.
The team is expected to discuss new safeguarding measures introduced to protect students.
