Politics · Germany · 6 hrs ago
Commentary urges Germany to end time limits for rape cases
A Berlin man was convicted of raping and filming women after drugging them; the commentary says 58 women were affected.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison, followed by preventive detention.
The commentary says some alleged rapes could not be prosecuted because time had run out.
It also says some women may not know what happened to them.
The writer urges Justice Minister Hubig to change the law so rape cases do not expire.
The commentary also calls on police and prosecutors to publish the man's photo, saying women who may have been harmed could recognise him.
It does not say whether officials will take either step.
A Bild commentary urges Germany to remove time limits for prosecuting rape.
It cites a Berlin serial rape case in which 58 women were drugged, raped and filmed.
The commentary says many of the man’s alleged rapes were time-barred.
The man was sentenced to 12 years in prison, followed by preventive detention.
The commentary also calls on police and prosecutors to publish his photograph so women who may not know what happened can recognize him.
- Who
- A Berlin serial rapist, and Justice Minister Hubig, whom the commentary addresses.
- What
- A Bild commentary calls for rape to be exempt from time limits and for police to publish the man’s photograph.
- When
- The commentary was published on 28 October 2026.
- Where
- Berlin, Germany.
- Why
- The commentary says many rapes were time-barred and some women may not know what happened to them.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The man was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Preventive detention was to follow the prison term.
- Women cited in the case
- 58
- Prison sentence
- 12 years
- Proposed legal change
- Rape should not be subject to time limits
- Publication date
- 28 October 2026
What people are saying
Rapes must not become time-barred!
It is never “too long ago”!
These women have the right to know what happened.