Germany: 9 Algerians, 8 Moroccans charged for sexual harassment

The pronouncement made by German authorities regarding victims of the December 31 sexual harassment in Cologne is gradually gaining momentum.

German police recently arrested some people following the assault, 17 are natives of Algeria and Morocco.

Two weeks after the assault, German Home Secretary Thomas de Maiziere has announced that the people suspected of having participated in the massive wave of harassment of the New Year’s Eve are of Arab origins.

Latest development on the issue has instigated public opinion as wide demonstrations have triggered off in Germany.

An anti-Muslim organization and extreme-right movements group under the banner of Pegida recently held a protest in Munich.

The wave of harassment which had seized the western metropolis of Germany was first attributed to the recent refugees from Iraq and from Syria. An opinion which aimed at questioning the political choices of German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.

Massive anti-refugee protests break out in Germany after mass sexual assault https://t.co/IbNvTodMxZ

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Media reports indicate that the local police also made a reference to the arrest of two pickpockets. Both young men of 16 and of 23 years likely natives of Morocco and Tunisia.

However, Cologne police said there had been 553 criminal complaints stemming from that night, about 40% of which relate to sexual assaults.

According to them, at least 31 people mostly from North Africa or Middle Eastern countries have been charged so far over the attack, 18 of whom have been identified as asylum seekers.