German charged for shooting Italians in football World Cup row

Oct 20, 2010, 12:30 GMT

Hanover, Germany - Prosecutors have brought charges against a German who admitted to shooting dead two Italians in a row about football during this year's World Cup, they announced on Wednesday.

The prosecutors allege that the 42-year-old acted out of malice and base motives, a spokeswoman said, adding that the early retiree had been under the influence of alcohol and medication, and thus had diminished responsibility for his actions.

The man allegedly shot the two Italians in the head on the morning of July 5, after arguing with them in a Hanover bar about which country had won more World Cup titles.

The victims, one of whom is thought to have been wearing an Italian football shirt, were local restaurant employees who had been celebrating in the all-night bar.

According to investigators, the perpetrator left the bar to withdraw cash at around 6 am, after arguing with the Italians. He returned an hour later and shot both men in the head.

One witness reported that one of the victims had kneeled, begging for his life. Investigators found the gun near the crime scene.

Later that day, the man fled to Mallorca to lie low with his stepfather, who convinced him instead to turn himself in to the police. Two weeks later the man was extradited to Germany.

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