In Berlin, authorities waited eight months to release a photo of a suspect linked to an attempted rape in Humboldthain public park on March 31.
The incident occurred after the man, described as Turkish-speaking and slim, met the victim on public transport. They both exited at Gesundbrunnen S-Bahn station before walking together to the park, where he allegedly attempted to assault her. Thankfully, the woman resisted, managed to escape, and reported the incident to the police.
Despite having a description and potential leads, police only recently released the suspect’s photo, citing procedural delays. This case isn’t an isolated example—similar delays have been reported. In Darmstadt, for instance, a photo of a Black male suspect in an attempted rape was released 11 months after the crime.
Critics argue that the reluctance to promptly share suspect photos—particularly in cases involving foreign nationals—reflects a troubling trend in Germany. Authorities and media outlets often censor images of suspects or convicted criminals, ostensibly to protect their identities. However, this restraint starkly contrasts with how private individuals are treated in politically charged incidents.
For example, when German youths were caught on video singing “Ausländer raus” (“Foreigners out”) on the island of Sylt, their faces were shown uncensored nationwide. None of them faced criminal charges, yet they endured intense public scrutiny and professional consequences.
These inconsistencies fuel debates about fairness and transparency in Germany’s criminal justice and media practices. While victims and public safety depend on timely information, delays in suspect identification raise questions about priorities and accountability.
