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German leaders condemned a “new dimension” of crime after scores of women reported being sexually assaulted as they passed though a group of about 1,000 men during New Year’s Eve celebrations in downtown Cologne.

Women reported being groped, robbed and having their underwear ripped off outside Cologne’s main train station, next to the city’s famous cathedral, the Daily Telegraph reported. Others said men shot fireworks at them.

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At least 90 criminal complaints were filed to police, including one allegation of rape.

“This is obviously a new dimension in organized crime,” Justice Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement. “If a thousand people gather and commit the same violation, then there is some level of organization involved.”

“All the perpetrators must be investigated and brought to justice. We will not accept these cowardly and abhorrent attacks.”

According to police, witnesses said the assaults were committed by men of “Arab or North African origin” who had gathered in large numbers near the train station.