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Dortmund ‘Knappi-Gang’ Trial Opens After New Arrest in Videoed Bus-Stop Beating

Prosecutors say a phone video is the key evidence in the case.

Overview

  • The case against seven youths, which opened Monday at the Dortmund regional court, centers on attempted manslaughter over an August 2025 bus-stop attack.
  • At the first hearing, prosecutors said a recently arrested eighth suspect was identified from a defendant’s statements.
  • The assault was recorded on a defendant’s phone, and prosecutors say the clip shows kicks to heads and one jump onto a prone victim.
  • After the footage spread on social media, police used it to identify suspects and made December arrests with special forces units known as SEK.
  • The defendants plan to make statements at the next hearing, and the victims are scheduled to testify at the end of May.