German couple on trial for rape, slaying of Chinese student

BERLIN – A young couple in eastern Germany is on trial on charges they abducted, raped and killed a Chinese student this year.

Sebastian F., the 21-year-old son of two police officers, and his 20-year-old girlfriend, Xenia I., didn’t make statements as their trial opened Friday at Dessau’s state court.

The dpa news agency reports they showed no reaction as prosecutor Heike Kropf detailed the brutal injuries the 25-year-old architecture student suffered to her head and body.

The couple is alleged to have hauled the victim into an abandoned house while she was on her way home from jogging in May, beating and sexually assaulting her for an hour before dragging her outside to die of her injuries.

They told authorities they met the woman for consensual sex, but denied killing her.