EPA Mohebolla A (l) now claims he is 19-years-old after being accused of attempted murder

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The Afghan, named only as Mohebolla A, is alleged to have attacked an Iranian migrant with a baton knocking him unconscious and causing severe head injuries at a refugee camp in Hamburg, Germany. He initially told an adult criminal court he was 22 but after facing a charge of attempted murder now claims he is 19 and says the victim hit himself with the baton. In Germany, defendants under the age of 21 can be tried in juvenile courts and receive lesser sentences. Mohebolla is now on trial for a second time following the dispute over his age.

The court heard Mohebolla was angry that Amir had converted to Christianity

The Afghan does not own a passport or other documents that prove his date of birth but when a trial started in an adult criminal court in May Mohebolla said he believed he was 22-years-old but days later claimed he was 19. A new trial started in a juvenile court this week. Prosecutors claim Mohebolla said: “I will kill you” before attacking the victim known as Amir H, 24.

GETTY Iranian Amir H converted to Christianity four years ago

ANADOLU Refugee camps have been set up across Germany

The court heard Mohebolla was angry that Amir had converted to Christianity and launched a near-fatal assault following a series of run-ins. He allegedly called Amir’s conversion “a sin” before launching the brutal assault. Security at the camp were forced to intervene as Amir suffered serious head injuries as he was beaten with a baton. The court heard an argument broke out between the two men during a meal at the camp in Eidelstedt in northern Germany.

Mohebolla told the court he and Amir were talking before the fight broke out. He claims he told Amir: "There is war in Afghanistan. And there is also a constant war when we're getting food." Mohebolla, a Muslim, then claimed Amir offended him and his religion “with very harsh words” and told him he had been a Christian for four years. The court heard the pair brawled but later made up before getting in a series of fights.

GETTY The attack took place at a refugee camp in Hamburg

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