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                 Attacks in Cologne Focus Attention on Migrants

   by VOA News

   Two Pakistanis and a Syrian were injured in separate attacks Sunday by
   mobs in the German city of Cologne, the same city where dozens of women
   say they were sexually assaulted during New Year's Eve celebrations.

   Tensions are running high in the city with more than 500 reports from
   women about the assaults. Police say they are focusing their
   investigations of the assaults on asylum seekers and migrants.

   The interior minister of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia
   said Monday there are indications that almost all the people who
   committed the crimes against the women are migrants. However, the
   comment has yet to be supported by other officials.

   Police say a group of about 20 people late Sunday attacked six
   Pakistanis, two of whom had to be hospitalized.

   A short time later, a group attacked and injured a Syrian man.

   On Saturday, riot police dispersed a rally of the anti-Islam PEGIDA
   movement in Cologne.

   The attacks and "retaliation" attacks have placed the spotlight on the
   1.1 million asylum seekers who arrived in Germany last year, sparking
   debates about tougher laws for migrants.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/attacks-in-cologne-focus-attention-on
   -migrants/3139650.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/attacks-in-cologne-focus-attention-on-migrants/3139650.html