Friedland: Arrest made in sexual assault of 27-year-old woman

A 24-year-old man from Benin has been arrested in connection with the rape of a 27-year-old woman in Friedland, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The incident occurred on August 9 around 2:30 PM, when the victim was allegedly dragged into a bush near a former inn.

Authorities confirmed that the suspect's asylum application had previously been rejected, though he had filed an appeal with the Schwerin Administrative Court. Because the appeal process was ongoing, he was legally permitted to remain in Germany at the time of the crime. The suspect is currently in pre-trial detention in Neustrelitz due to flight risk.

Prosecutors initially withheld public information regarding the case to protect the victim's privacy and avoid stigmatization in the small community. Details only became public several weeks later following media inquiries.