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German court jails man over death of student who tried to help harassed girls German court jails man over death of student who tried to help harassed girls
(about 1 hour later)
A German court has jailed an 18-year-old man for three years over the death of a young German-Turkish woman whose name became synonymous with civil courage after she defended two girls who were being harassed in a fast-food restaurant and paid with her life. A German court has jailed an 18-year-old man for three years over the death of a young Turkish-German woman whose name became synonymous with civil courage after she defended two girls who were being harassed in a fast-food restaurant and paid with her life.
The panel of judges in the western city of Darmstadt found Sanel Masovic guilty of inflicting bodily harm with fatal consequences during a confrontation in a fast-food restaurant last November.The panel of judges in the western city of Darmstadt found Sanel Masovic guilty of inflicting bodily harm with fatal consequences during a confrontation in a fast-food restaurant last November.
The verdict came in just under the prosecution’s call for three years and three months in prison. The defence had requested a suspended sentence.The verdict came in just under the prosecution’s call for three years and three months in prison. The defence had requested a suspended sentence.
Presiding judge Jens Assling said Masovic had not wanted student teacher Tuğçe Albayrak, 22, to die, saying the accused was “no killer”. The presiding judge, Jens Assling, said Masovic had not wanted student teacher Tuğçe Albayrak, 22, to die, saying the accused was “no killer”.
But he added that “no verdict in the world could in any way make up for the loss” suffered by Albayrak’s parents and brother.But he added that “no verdict in the world could in any way make up for the loss” suffered by Albayrak’s parents and brother.
The victim’s mother and friends wept as the verdict was read out, while Masovic sat impassively in the packed courtroom.The victim’s mother and friends wept as the verdict was read out, while Masovic sat impassively in the packed courtroom.
The fateful altercation began when Albayrak confronted a group of men for harassing two 14-year-old girls in the toilets of the restaurant.The fateful altercation began when Albayrak confronted a group of men for harassing two 14-year-old girls in the toilets of the restaurant.
The groups later shouted insults at each other outside in the car park.The groups later shouted insults at each other outside in the car park.
Masovic admitted during his nearly two-month trial, which heard more than 60 witnesses, that he slapped Albayrak so hard that she fell to the ground, putting her in a coma. Masovic admitted during his nearly two-month trial, which heard from more than 60 witnesses, that he slapped Albayrak so hard that she fell to the ground, putting her in a coma.
She died days later in hospital, on her 23rd birthday, when her parents took her off life support.She died days later in hospital, on her 23rd birthday, when her parents took her off life support.
The attack was captured on a surveillance video later broadcast on national media, drawing a wave of shock and revulsion. The attack was captured on a surveillance video that was later broadcast on national media, drawing a wave of shock and revulsion.
“I am deeply sorry for what I did,” Masovic told the juvenile district court at the start of the trial in April.“I am deeply sorry for what I did,” Masovic told the juvenile district court at the start of the trial in April.
“I can’t imagine the pain and suffering I inflicted on her family. I never thought she would die.”“I can’t imagine the pain and suffering I inflicted on her family. I never thought she would die.”
About 1,000 mourners attended Albayrak’s funeral and Germany’s president, Joachim Gauck, has said he is considering a mass online petition for her to be posthumously awarded the Federal Order of Merit, Germany’s highest civilian distinction.About 1,000 mourners attended Albayrak’s funeral and Germany’s president, Joachim Gauck, has said he is considering a mass online petition for her to be posthumously awarded the Federal Order of Merit, Germany’s highest civilian distinction.
The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, also expressed support for awarding the honour to a woman whom Gauck called a role model for showing “bravery and civil courage in an exemplary way”. The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has also expressed support for awarding the honour to a woman whom Gauck called a role model for showing “bravery and civil courage in an exemplary way”.
Masovic’s lawyer, Heinz-Jürgen Borowsky, said he would appeal against the verdict, calling it overly harsh.Masovic’s lawyer, Heinz-Jürgen Borowsky, said he would appeal against the verdict, calling it overly harsh.