Four German male tourists - ages 18 to 50 - are standing trial in Germany accused of the gang rape of a 41-year-old male. The five were all part of a group who visited Mallorca in August last year.
They had all been out drinking in Arenal. The 41-year-old returned to their hotel, where he had a single room. His four friends managed to obtain a key card to his room from the reception. He was asleep. The main defendant inserted a plastic bottle filled with water into his anus while others filmed this.
Three of the four admitted to the offence at the start of the trial in Essen on Tuesday. A fourth man refused to testify. Although all charged with the same offence, Björn P. aged 37 is considered to be the main defendant.
The trial would typically have been in Mallorca. However, under certain circumstances, it is also possible to hold the trial, as in this case, in Germany. The definition of rape is the same in both Germany and Spain. The maximum sentence is seven years.
Four more days of the trial have been scheduled. The verdict is expected in January.