Berlin man charged with 22 rapes after drugging victims

Berlin prosecutors have charged a 68-year-old man with at least 22 counts of rape involving 14 identified women, as well as causing severe bodily harm and recording his acts. The suspect, who has been in custody since early March, allegedly met his victims through online dating platforms and incapacitated them using a mixture of sleeping pills and alcohol. Authorities discovered the crimes after police in Lower Saxony, who were investigating similar cases, found video evidence. While 14 victims have been confirmed in the current charges, prosecutors believe there may be as many as 58 victims in total, many of whom have not yet been identified or whose cases are still being investigated. Some incidents reportedly occurred between 2016 and 2022 in Berlin. Additionally, legal proceedings regarding one woman who was allegedly raped 36 times between 2010 and 2014 were dropped due to the statute of limitations. The victims were reportedly unaware of the crimes until they were informed during the police investigation.