Prosecutors in Germany have revealed that Telegram group chats were used by a network of mainly Chinese men to share videos and tips about drugging and raping women. The groups, which called themselves the "German driving school for experts," referred to women as "cars," sedatives as "fuel," and rape as "driving," according to court documents. Members also called their victims "dead pigs."
Investigators have examined years of posts in roughly two dozen group chats, leading to the convictions of three alleged inner circle members on rape and other charges. A fourth man is currently on trial in Berlin. Frankfurt chief prosecutor Dominik Mies described the perpetrators as exhibiting "particular ruthlessness, an objectification of the victims, and the perfidious planning of their crimes."
Key details remain unknown, including the total number of attacks and perpetrators linked to the chats, as well as how the groups operated for so long. It is also unclear if these chats are connected to a broader investigation into drug-facilitated sexual assaults by misogynist online communities in Europe and the Americas.
Under German privacy laws, prosecutors are limited in what they can disclose outside the courtroom, and documents are restricted. The ongoing case in Berlin has seen members of the public removed from the courtroom during parts of the trial. The Chinese community in Germany has rallied to support the victims, though the investigation has received less public attention than might be expected.
The Independent and Yahoo News both included editor’s notes highlighting the discussion of sexual violence and providing resources for victims in the U.S., Germany, and China.