Amy Mek
The investigation into a brutal gang rape that took place over the weekend in Iserlohn, Germany, has revealed new details that suggest a possible political motive. Police discovered a cell phone video allegedly showing the crime, in which four men tied up and “sexually humiliated” (according to The Hagen State Prosecutor’s Office) their victim. This 30-year-old Iranian refugee had publicly criticized the Iranian regime.
The attack occurred on the grounds of an abandoned brewery site on Saturday night. Witnesses heard the victim’s cries for help and alerted the authorities, who found the severely injured man tied up in one of the vacant buildings. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and released to a safe location, according to local officials.
The four suspects, aged 24 to 46, were apprehended in a nearby forest shortly after the crime and are now in custody. According to the public prosecutor, all of the men, like the victims, have Iranian roots and claim to live in the Netherlands and Denmark. Two additional suspects involved in the attack remain at large, and a manhunt is currently underway.
Cell Phone Video Uncovered
In a shocking development, police recovered a video from the suspects’ cell phones, which reportedly captured the assault. The footage is now part of the investigation, with state security taking over the case due to the potential political implications.
While the motive for the attack has yet to be confirmed, the victim has informed authorities that he is a vocal critic of the Iranian regime. Investigators are exploring whether the attack was politically motivated, possibly linked to the victim’s public stance against the Iranian government. A xenophobic motive has been ruled out, given that both the victim and the perpetrators share Iranian descent.
Health Concerns Complicate Investigation
In addition to the severity of the crime, the investigation has been further complicated by public health concerns. According to WDR reports, the victim is suffering from highly contagious scabies, prompting authorities to take additional precautions during the suspects’ detention. As a result, the detention hearing on Monday was held outdoors to reduce the risk of infection. There are also concerns that the two suspects still on the run may be infected, which adds further urgency to their capture.
Political Implications and Public Safety
The public prosecutor, Michael Burggräf, has not commented on whether the victim and suspects were acquainted before the attack. However, given the victim’s outspoken criticism of the Iranian regime, authorities are investigating a possible political motive behind the assault. They are closely examining whether this was a targeted attack, potentially related to political disputes.
RAIR also points out the inconsistency in the authorities’ response. In a video, an officer dismisses the relevance of the attackers’ migration backgrounds. However, RAIR argues that if the attackers had been German citizens, especially conservative supporters of the AfD party, the authorities would likely have shown far more interest in their identities and the motive for the crime.
Iran’s Documented History of Targeting Dissidents Abroad
Iran has a long and troubling history of targeting dissidents abroad, particularly in Europe. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Iranian state agents were involved in the assassination, kidnapping, and harassment of Iranian opposition figures in countries like France, Germany, and Austria. These attacks primarily targeted members of opposition groups such as the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) and Kurdish separatists.
More recently, Iran has continued its campaign to silence critics. In 2018, an Iranian diplomat based in Austria was convicted of orchestrating a bomb plot against a rally of Iranian opposition figures in France. This demonstrated Iran’s ongoing willingness to use violence against its critics on European soil. In 2019, the Iranian government attempted to kidnap Masih Alinejad, a U.S.-based journalist and outspoken regime critic, further underscoring their global reach.
In addition to assassinations and kidnappings, there have been credible reports of the Iranian regime using rape and sexual violence as tools of repression against dissidents, particularly in the aftermath of protests and political unrest. During the post-2009 election protests, for example, political prisoners reported widespread sexual abuse and rape while in detention, allegations that human rights organizations later corroborated. This tactic has been used within Iran to humiliate, silence, and exert control over regime critics, especially women and ethnic minorities. Given this history, the possibility of sexual violence being employed as a method of intimidation against Iranian dissidents abroad cannot be entirely ruled out.”
Given this history, there is strong speculation that the brutal assault in Iserlohn may have been politically motivated. The victim’s open criticism of the Iranian regime raises the possibility that this attack was not a random act of violence but another deliberate effort to intimidate or punish those who challenge the regime, even outside of Iran.
Public Safety Concerns in Europe
This attack has reignited concerns about public safety in Europe, particularly regarding the influx of migrants. The crime occurred at an abandoned brewery that had been illegally occupied for years, turning into a hotspot for illicit activities. The incident has sparked renewed debate about the vetting process for migrants entering Germany and the potential dangers they may pose—not only to the local population but also to genuine refugees who have fled their homelands to escape the very kind of brutality they now face again in Europe.
Call for Public Assistance
As the investigation progresses, authorities are urging anyone with information about the whereabouts of the two remaining suspects to come forward. The manhunt remains active, and the community in Iserlohn remains on high alert as investigators work to bring those responsible for this crime to justice.
You welcome snakes into your house……….
……….and communists and genocide criminals into the EU parliament and White House.