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German defence ministry investigates army abuse allegations

German defence ministry investigates army abuse allegations | iNFOnews.ca
The Jan. 27, 2017 photo shows the entrance of the Staufer barracks of the German Bundeswehr in Pfullendorf, Germany. Germany’s defense ministry is investigating claims of abuse at the army training base after reports that male and female soldiers were subjected to demeaning rituals and sexual harassment. (Thomas Warnack/dpa via AP)

BERLIN – Germany’s defence ministry is investigating claims of abuse at an army training base following reports that male and female soldiers were subjected to demeaning rituals and sexual harassment.

Defence Ministry spokesman Jens Flosdorff says disciplinary proceedings have been launched, seven people have been suspended, and prosecutors are investigating whether to bring criminal charges.

Flosdorff said Monday the allegations centred around three separate abuse cases, some going back to 2014.

Flosdorff told reporters in Berlin that the allegations were “outrageous and repulsive, and certainly no advertisement” for the German armed forces.

He said lawmakers would be briefed on preliminary investigation results Monday and the military’s chief of staff planned to visit the base, in the southwestern town of Pfullendorf, later this week.

Germany has almost 178,000 active soldiers.

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