After five years of legal scrutiny, former German international Jerome Boateng has been cleared of all assault-related charges following the decision by Munich prosecutors to drop the case due to lack of evidence.

The ex-Bayern Munich defender had been under investigation since late 2019 over allegations of assault against his former girlfriend, Kasia Lenhardt. The case gained renewed attention in 2021 after Lenhardt’s tragic suicide, prompting the authorities to reopen the investigation. An autopsy report raised suspicions due to severe injuries found on Lenhardt’s body, but no conclusive evidence emerged to substantiate the claims.

The prosecution’s decision to close the case came after a key witness failed to appear for questioning and subsequently disappeared. In accordance with the legal principle in dubio pro reo (“when in doubt, for the defendant”), all charges of assault, coercion, and defamation against Boateng have now been dismissed.

Reacting to the outcome on Instagram, Boateng expressed his relief and optimism for the future.

“The Munich public prosecutor’s office has finally dropped the case against me after five years. All my statements were correct, and the allegations against me were false,” he wrote. “Thank you to everyone who stood by my side and supported me despite the heavy prejudice. That means so much to me. Now my family and I can finally look to the future with positivity. Never give up.”

The conclusion of the case marks the end of a prolonged legal battle for the World Cup-winning defender, who can now focus on rebuilding his life and career.