Thirty staff on trial for German asylum abuse

Germany launched a mass trial on Thursday of 30 defendants accused of abusing asylum seekers in a refugee home. Four years ago, images surfaced of staff at a centre in Burbach physically abusing refugees. Video footage showed one guard pinning a handcuffed Algerian man to the floor with his boot on his neck. Police launched the investigation after journalists handed them the mobile phone footage. Staff allegedly beat, tormented and humiliated the asylum seekers, or locked them up for days. The trial is taking place in Siegen, North Rhine-Westphalia state. Charges include false imprisonment, assault and theft.