First suspects in Cologne New Year crimes face trial
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The first trials are opening of people charged over New Year's Eve crimes in Cologne, with three men going to court on theft charges.
The spate of thefts and assaults on women outside Cologne's main station, blamed largely on foreigners, caused public uproar as Germany deals with a huge influx of migrants. More than 1,000 criminal complaints were filed, over 400 of those alleging crimes of a sexual nature.
Neither of the two trials scheduled in Cologne Wednesday involves allegations of sexual assaults.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A 23-year-old Moroccan man is accused of stealing a cellphone from a woman as she photographed the city's cathedral. In a separate case, a 22-year-old Tunisian and an 18-year-old Moroccan are charged with stealing a camera from a man.