Berlin prosecutors cite lack of evidence and testimony from alleged victims, following investigation into rock star Till Lindemann
Investigations into alleged sexual assaults by Till Lindemann, frontman with German metal superstars Rammstein, have been dropped by prosecutors.
Berlin state prosecutors said investigations, which began in June, “did not provide any evidence”, and that they were unable to substantiate allegations as law enforcement agencies had not received direct testimony from the accusers.
Lawyers for Lindemann said: “The rapid termination of investigative proceedings by the Berlin state prosecutor’s office shows that there is insufficient evidence that our client allegedly committed sexual offences.”
In May, a Northern Irish Rammstein fan, Shelby Lynn, alleged that she was “groomed for sex” with Lindemann by being selected to meet him at a backstage area at a concert in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he allegedly reacted angrily when she refused to have sex with him. She also claimed her drink was spiked at a pre-concert party.
Lithuanian police did not pursue the complaint after she reported it. The band denied her claim, writing: “With regard to the allegations circulating on the internet about Vilnius, we can rule out the possibility that what is being claimed took place in our environment.”
The allegations led to a number of other women reporting a system allegedly employed by Lindemann to recruit fans for sex, prompting Berlin prosecutors to open an investigation “over allegations relating to sexual offences and the distribution of drugs”. One woman interviewed by German media claimed she had passed out after drinking alcohol at an afterparty, and found Lindemann on top of her when she regained consciousness.
Aftershow parties at Rammstein concerts in Berlin were cancelled, with Iris Spranger, Berlin’s senator for the interior, stating: “The accusations are so serious that I have no choice but to give the protection and safety of women absolute priority.” Hundreds of protestors assembled outside various concerts during their European tour.
The band issued a statement saying they took the allegations “extremely seriously. We say to our fans: It’s important to us that you feel comfortable and safe at our shows – in front and behind the stage.”
Prosecutors investigating the claims have also said that Lynn’s allegations remained too vague, and that she did not witness any incidents that would amount to criminal offenses. They also dropped investigations into Alena Makeeva, a woman who was alleged to have been involved in selecting women for the backstage meetings and who had been in contact with Lynn prior to the concert.
During the investigation, two further women made sexual assault allegations against Rammstein keyboardist Christian Lorenz, dating back to 2002 and 1996, the latter incident also implicating Lindemann and drummer Christoph Schneider. The band members denied the allegations.
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