Scandal in the outdoor pool: Four Syrians harass girls in Gelnhausen!

Scandal in the outdoor pool: Four Syrians harass girls in Gelnhausen!

The city of Gelnhausen is currently in turmoil after serious allegations were made at the Barbarossa outdoor swimming pool. On June 22nd there were several sexual harassment incidents that have now attracted the attention of the public prosecutor and police. A total of eight girls between the ages of 11 and 16 reported that four men touched them all over their bodies in the water. These incidents took place when temperatures were above 30 degrees Celsius, which attracted many people to the outdoor pool. The affected girls immediately contacted the lifeguards, who eventually informed the police. The identities of the suspects, all of Syrian descent, were immediately established. While two of the suspects are related, they are all between 18 and 28 years old.

Mayor Christian Litzinger made it clear that this was a unique incident in Gelnhausen. Nevertheless, not all of the mayor's statements were uncritical. In particular, his comments about the heat and the increased number of visitors to the outdoor pool were met with resistance. While the director of the outdoor pool rejects the allegations and explains that the pool staff were not sufficiently informed, the city will take stricter measures: the suspects have already been banned from swimming and staying at home.

Safety situation in the outdoor pool

The public prosecutor's office has taken over the investigation and intends to first question the girls concerned. There was originally talk of five victims, but the number quickly rose to eight. Police spokespersons confirmed that the file is already in the public prosecutor's office. It was also surprising that another man was able to leave the bathroom undetected. In view of this, many expressed concern about the security situation in the outdoor pool.

The Gelnhausen police emphasized that the girls' quick action was commendable. A look at other cities shows that Gelnhausen is by no means an exception. There were similar incidents in cities like Hof and Albstadt in which sexual assaults occurred in outdoor pools. According to data from the State Criminal Police Office (LKA), Hesse reported 74 cases against sexual self-determination in swimming pools in 2024, with 60 percent of the suspects being non-German.

Political reactions and social effects

The Hessian Interior Minister Roman Poseck also reacted to the incidents, calling for clear consequences for asylum seekers who commit sexual crimes. He noted that they should not have a right to residency and referred to the fact that Germany has not deported convicted criminals to Syria since 2012. This raises questions about the general safety precautions in public facilities, especially outdoor pools.

These incidents give new impetus to the discussion about the safety of women and girls in public spaces. State politicians such as District Administrator Thorsten Stolz called for the suspects to be repatriated if the allegations were substantiated. At the same time, however, some are calling for moderation and warning against a blanket discrediting of all people with a migrant background. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what measures the city and the police will take to prevent future incidents.