03/16/2023 06:31 (act. 03/16/2023 06:31)
I fight for Luise (12). ©APA; Portal
Following the murder of a 12-year-old girl in Germany by two girls believed to be nearly the same age, the Union is calling for a debate on a possible lowering of the age of criminal responsibility, which currently stands at 14.
“It is shocking that two girls killed another girl,” said its legal policy spokesman, Günter Krings (CDU), of the editorial network Germany (Thursday editions).
“Even children know they can’t kill”
“We need to debate whether the age of criminal responsibility for serious crimes needs to be lowered.” It is now forbidden to make rash demands, Krings said. However, the age limit of 14 years should be discussed. “Because the most serious crimes – like homicide in particular – are not juvenile misconduct. Even children know they cannot kill.” The union politician asked to review whether there has been an increase in serious crimes committed by children and whether the maturation process has accelerated among young people aged 12 and 13.
Suspects are 12 and 13 years old
Luise, 12, from Freudenberg in North Rhine-Westphalia, was reported missing on Saturday, and her body was discovered on Sunday in an impassable forest area just behind the Rhineland-Palatinate state border. Investigators said on Monday that the 12-year-old boy was the victim of a violent crime. A day later, investigators announced that a 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy were suspects.