Dresden court: Syrian man sentenced to 3 years juvenile detention for knife attack on US tourist

After a knife attack on an American in Dresden, the verdict against two Syrian defendants is expected. "Rudat has a lot of anger about German immigration policy," reports WELT reporter Lutz Stordel.

A dispute in a Dresden tram escalated into a knife attack: A 21-year-old has been sentenced to three years in juvenile detention, while a co-defendant received a suspended sentence.

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Verdict Details

Nearly a year after the attack in a Dresden tram, a 21-year-old Syrian man has been sentenced to three years in juvenile detention. He caused permanent damage to the American victim by cutting his face, according to the verdict announcement at the Dresden Regional Court. The judges of the juvenile chamber found the defendant guilty of serious and dangerous bodily harm.

A 22-year-old Syrian co-defendant was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for dangerous bodily harm and other charges. The sentence was suspended on probation.

The Attack

According to the verdict, on the night of August 24, 2025, the 21-year-old attacked the same-aged American, John Rudat, in a tram using a utility knife. Rudat was arguing at the time with the second defendant, who had shouted at and hit his girlfriend.

Rudat attempted to intervene, at which point the 22-year-old struck him. The previously uninvolved 21-year-old defendant then joined the assault and drew his knife across the American's face, causing cuts to the eyelid, nose, lip, and inside the mouth. Rudat bears a permanent scar from the attack.

Defendants' Apologies

During the trial, the two defendants showed remorse and apologized for their actions. They stated they were drunk at the time. The 21-year-old also reported drug use on the day of the crime.

Additional Charges

In the trial, the two young men also faced charges for ten other offenses, including several cases of dangerous bodily harm. They have minor prior convictions and have been in pre-trial detention for nearly eleven months. The verdict is not yet final.

The courtroom on Tuesday. Source: Jasmin Beisiegel/dpa

Victim's Statement

The American victim, Rudat, previously stated that the scar was "okay" for him. He said he wants to keep it "as a reminder." It stands for something he still considers right today, he said, referring to his actions at the time. His scar feels like a symbol of that. However, he does not see himself as a hero. He said he did what anyone would have done in that situation. Since the attack, he can no longer work as a model, as he is no longer booked due to the injury.

dpa/nw