German court gives Russian hooligans suspended sentences

July 30, 2016 | 10:40

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BERLIN: Four Russian football hooligans detained in Germany for attacking a group of Spaniards were given suspended sentences of between 10 and 12 months, a German court ruled Friday (Jul 29).

Hooligan violence marred the start of the European championships with clashes between Russian and English supporters in Marseille on June 11, 2016 (Photo: AFP/Valery Hache)

The men had admitted to the June assault that targeted two Spanish tourists and their guide, the court in the western state of North-Rhine Westphalia said.

A fifth suspect had been held on similar charges but the court is issuing a separate ruling at a later date on his case as he has denied complicity in the violence.

German police had arrested the men soon after the attack, saying they acted in an "extremely aggressive and brutal manner" towards the Spanish group.

The Russians "beat and kicked" their victims, leaving one seriously wounded, police said, without giving details on what sparked the attack.

The men were making a stop at the western city of Cologne after leaving Marseille, where the worst violence at an international tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France erupted between Russian and English football thugs.

A French court last month jailed three Russian football supporters over Euro 2016 unrest while a far-right Russian agitator was thrown out of the country.