Source: "European Truth" citing WDR
Details: The court has determined that four teenagers, who were aged between 14 and 16 at the start of the trial, attacked two Ukrainians with knives and clubs, and therefore they are guilty of their deaths. However, the court did not find any xenophobic motive in their actions, stating that the defendants acted "knowing" that they "did not need a reason to kill someone."
Previously, the prosecution believed that the attack on the athletes was motivated by their Ukrainian origin.
Two of the attackers were sentenced to 10 years, while the other two received 8.5 years. The defendants have apologized to the parents of the deceased Ukrainians.
The sentences have not yet taken effect, and the defendants' lawyers announced they would file an appeal.
Background:
- The attack occurred on the evening of February 10. Two Ukrainian basketball players were heading to Düsseldorf when they encountered the four defendants on a bus. After everyone exited the bus at the main Oberhausen station, one of the accused allegedly immediately stabbed both victims.
- Seventeen-year-old Vladimir Ermakov died that same evening during emergency surgery in the hospital. His friend and teammate Artem Kozachenko, who was a year older, died ten days later from septic multi-organ failure.