He allegedly prescribed "treatment" for one of the daughters, including medication and injections — without medical justification.
Years of isolation, fictitious illnesses, and fear of the outside world — this is how, according to the prosecution, a 45-year-old man completely controlled his family in Bremen. He is now set to stand trial: the investigation believes that from 2013 to 2019 he kept his partner and her daughters in a state of total psychological and physical control.
The trial will begin on January 15, 2026, at the Bremen District Court. The man is charged with mistreatment of dependent persons. This is not about isolated incidents, but about years of systematic subjugation — through isolation, deception, and instilling a constant sense of danger.
According to the indictment, he convinced family members that:
- they were allegedly being pursued by a drug mafia and were under a witness protection program;
- he himself worked in the criminal police and could "ensure their safety";
- microchips were "implanted" in the bodies of family members for surveillance;
- later he posed as a doctor.
These claims, according to the investigation, created a closed system of fear, in which any contact with the outside world seemed deadly dangerous.
Instrument of Power
The charges concerning the daughters are considered particularly serious. The prosecution claims that the man repeatedly locked the girls in their rooms for extended periods, forbade physical contact and conversations, explaining this by imaginary contagious or deadly diseases. He allegedly prescribed "treatment" for one of the daughters, including medication and injections — without medical justification.
According to the investigation, he also kept his partner in a constant state of fear. Using forged documents, he convinced her that she had suffered a heart attack and had lung cancer, after which he administered pills, drops, and injections. (As in any criminal trial, the presumption of innocence applies until a verdict is reached.)
Why This Can Last for Years
Such stories rarely begin with open violence. The key mechanism is the creation of an alternative reality, where the accused becomes the sole "source of truth." When victims are convinced that the outside world is dangerous and that outside help poses a deadly risk, isolation begins to work on its own.
Control over information, phones, movement, and contacts gradually deprives people of their bearings. They stop going out in public, seeking medical help, or appearing in schools or institutions. From the outside, such families can simply "disappear" — and that is why such cases often go unnoticed for years.
How the Trial Will Proceed
The main hearing is scheduled for January 15, 2026, with further sessions planned for January 22, February 12, 19, and 24, as well as March 4 and 6. The announcement of the decision is expected in early March. The court specifically stated that photo and video recording of the defendant is only permitted in an anonymous form.
Broader Context: Violence Without Bruises
The case is being considered against the backdrop of growing attention to the issue of domestic violence in Germany. Experts and authorities increasingly emphasize that psychological control and isolation can be just as destructive as physical abuse. According to estimates and forecasts, such "quiet" forms of violence remain the most underestimated — and therefore the hardest to detect early.
Thus, this trial is not only about specific charges, but also about how easily fear and lies can replace a person's reality. The story from Bremen shows: violence does not always scream. Sometimes it whispers for years — and that is why it remains unpunished for so long.
