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Andreas Bausewein: "Offer support to process what you have experienced"
Photo: KH / imago images / Karina Hessland
After the racist attack on a Syrian in a tram in Erfurt, Mayor Andreas Bausewein (SPD) wants to offer the teenager help.
"If he feels psychologically capable and he wants to, I will visit him and personally offer him our help and support in order to come to terms with what has happened," said Bausewein.
The 17-year-old was racially insulted, threatened, spat at and attacked in a tram last Friday evening.
The police then arrested a 40-year-old German on Monday.
An arrest warrant was issued against him for dangerous bodily harm.
Witnesses had filmed the attack in the tram and called the security forces for help.
The victim suffered minor injuries.
Bausewein was shocked and ashamed of the act.
This "disgusting and despicable incident" must be a warning sign, the mayor appealed at the same time to civil courage.
Previously, Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (left) and the parliamentary groups of the CDU and the left had sharply condemned the act.
ptz / dpa