Before knife attack on two Ukrainians: Attackers did not seek help from authorities
Oberhausen - Before the fatal knife attack on two Ukrainians in Oberhausen last February, the young suspects had already received offers of help from the state.
Two of the suspected offenders, aged 14 to 15 at the time of the crime, had received an offer from the state initiative "Kurve kriegen" ("Turn the corner") last year, wrote NRW Justice Minister Benjamin Limbach (54, Greens) in response to a question from the SPD parliamentary group in the state parliament.
The program is aimed at minors who are already delinquent and is intended to prevent them from slipping completely into crime.
"However, participation is voluntary and designed for the active involvement of those affected," emphasized Limbach.
In the case of the two suspects from Oberhausen, "those affected or their guardians expressly refused to participate". The "Rheinische Post" (Saturday) had previously reported.
Four juveniles in custody
The two budding professional basketball players from Ukraine, aged 17 and 18, were attacked at Oberhausen Central Station on February 10 and stabbed so severely that they died.
Four young people aged between 14 and 15 were remanded in custody on suspicion of two counts of murder. A 15-year-old German-Turk is believed to be the main perpetrator. According to the police, there was no racist background to the crime.