Trial 15 years after the crime: Pastor is said to have raped girls

Frankfurt – Matthias R. (65) entered the Frankfurt regional court on Thursday with a walker. He runs hunched over and moves slowly.

The former pastor of the “Christian Community International” is accused of rape.

In the spring of 2009, he is said to have sexually assaulted a then 14-year-old during confirmation classes. At that time, R. was a pastor for a free church community in Frankfurt. A year later he is said to have raped the girl in a school classroom, according to the public prosecutor.

Both crimes occurred 15 years ago. The accused repeatedly tried to evade the trial.

On the first day of the trial, R. remained silent about the allegations and simply said: “I don’t know” when asked all the questions. His lawyer emphasized that he was not fit to stand trial for health reasons: “It is impossible to prepare an admission with such a client.” The lawyer requested that the proceedings be discontinued.

Psychiatrist considers the defendant to be “in principle capable of standing trial”

The psychiatrist who examined the 65-year-old, however, saw the defendant as “in principle capable of standing trial”. According to the expert, the neurological findings do not match the amnesia he presented. The man may have “a motivation problem,” said the expert. The criminal chamber rejected the lawyer’s application and the proceedings were not discontinued.

The victim (now 29) had remained silent for ten years and only filed a criminal complaint in 2020. Two years later the public prosecutor brought charges. The woman is scheduled to testify on Wednesday.

The verdict is scheduled for November 13th.