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german authorities

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The recent Berlin attack had 12 people killed with dozens injured after a truck plowed through a city Christmas market. According to the German officials, after a report highlighted by EvoNews.com, it is possible that the suspect that is arrested is not responsible. The official report states that the police are uncertain about the real identity of the attacker.

Germany’s capital is in shock and in full high alert since authorities fear that at least one suspect is at large following the truck assault on the Christmas market. Angel Merkel declared that the incident was a presumed “terror attack” and ISIS already took responsibility by saying the attacker was a soldier of God.

Image result for Berlin attack

Photo source: VOA News

The Berlin police arrested a suspect. He is an asylum-seeker from Pakistan. Ever since being arrested he did deny the involvement in the attack that led to 52 people injured and 12 dead. The doubts about whether or not the correct person was arrested exist so forensic evidence is now studied as much as possible. This does include blood stain analysis for samples found in truck cabin. The truck was used as a weapon, a tactic similar to what happened in France 5 months ago.

In the country and all around the continent reactions appeared after the attack was seen as also being an attack against the traditions associated with Christmas. In Italy security was already enhanced before the appearance of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square for Christmas. Also, French officials declared that the markets were fast reinforced.

In Germany now the investigation teams are trying to analyze the obtained “circumstantial evidence”, including video footage and witness descriptions. However, there was no sketch that was released and this means there is much that is not yet known.

Although there is a suspect in custody, the Berlin police declared that citizens still need to be cautious. Police chief Klaus Kandt declared that it is possible that a “dangerous offender” is still present in the area. That is why he recommended that people remain vigilant.

What is known at the moment is that the attack was deliberate. The original driver of the truck was a Polish national. He was found dead in the cabin after being shot.

Suspicion started to appear because of the fact the gun used to kill the Polish driver was not found in the truck after it was investigated. The conclusion is that there is a possibility that the attacker is still free, armed and extremely dangerous.

While the Islamic State did declare that the traditional Christmas markets in the world are viable marks for attacks in Europe, there is no concrete proof that the attack was connected with them. Islamist extremists might have been involved due to target and modus operandi. Although ISIS did claim responsibility, it can still be the act of just one individual, not of the terrorist organization. Speaking about the Islamist responsibility claims, there is no credible mention that was found, according to German authorities. Even so, it is really important to remain open to all possible options.

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Council of Europe has urged Germany to end the practice of surgically castrating sex offenders.

The Council of Europe’s anti-torture committee said such voluntary treatment, albeit rare in Germany, was “degrading”.

In Germany no more than five sex offenders a year have been opting for castration, hoping it will lower their sex drives and reduce their jail term.

The committee’s recommendations are not binding but have great influence.

The committee’s official title is the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT).

“Surgical castration is a mutilating, irreversible intervention and cannot be considered as a medical necessity in the context of the treatment of sexual offenders”, the CPT report said. It was based on an investigation in Germany carried out in November-December 2010.

The German authorities argue that castration is not a punishment but a treatment which enables, as a government statement put it, “suffering tied to an abnormal sex drive… to be cured, or at least alleviated”.

Research for the report revealed that of the 104 people operated on between 1970 and 1980, only 3% reoffended, compared with nearly half of those who refused castration or were denied it by the authorities.

But the CPT objected to the practice of surgical castration for sex offenders, saying:

• The physical effects are irreversible and may have serious physical and mental consequences;

• Surgical castration does not conform to recognized international standards and is not mentioned in guidelines drawn up by the International Association for the Treatment of Sexual Offenders (IATSO)

• There is no guarantee of a lasting reduction in the sex offender’s testosterone level

• It is “questionable” whether consent to surgical castration “will always be truly free and informed”.

In February 2009 the Council of Europe made a similar complaint about the use of surgical castration in the Czech Republic.

Despite the criticism, the Czech Republic still offers prisoners the option of surgical castration.

The CPT says very few European countries still offer the procedure to sex offenders.

 

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