German police release images of five 'suspects over mass New Year sex attacks in Cologne'

The men who are all believed to be of North African descent are accused being involved in a mass sex assault during New Year's eve celebrations

Protest in Cologne against sexual attacks on women — Video loading

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Police in Germany have released photographs of the men reported to be suspected of carrying out a mass sex assault during New Year celebrations in the city of Cologne.
The images appear to show young migrant men alleged to have been responsible for groping and assaulting women outside the city's main train station on December 31 last year.
The five men are accused of being among the scores of offenders involved in offences against women in the biggest incident of its kind in German history.
Taken on seized mobile phones from witnesses and alleged victims they were released by police with the permission of a court order.
The images were released as it was revealed Police had warned of the of potential attacks two days before the incident took place.

German police have released photos of five men suspected of sexually assaulting and trying to steal from women during New Year's Eve celebrations in Cologne — Photos: German police have released pictures of men suspected of sexually assaulting women

Peter Römers, chief of a local police department, wrote his concerns in a memo on December 29.
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It read: "Larger crowds and a larger consumption of alcohol is to be expected with the typical dangers associated with them...

"There have been significant increases in recent years in particular in the areas of crime, particularly pickpocketing and street robbery.
"The offenders will substantially be NAFRI who will take advantage of the situation which presents itself."
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An enquiry is currently ongoing into the mayhem in which more than 90 alleged sexual assaults and one rape took place.

German parliamentarians are currently holding an enquiry into the incidents.
The North-Rhine Westphalia parliamentary committee is probing why police were unable to quash the attacks as they happened.

At the time more than 1,000 reports were filed with the police of which 471 of the complaints were considered sexual in nature.
A number of protesters took to the streets following the attacks with women leaving floral tributes at the site