Man 'beaten to death after urinating near church' in southern Germany

The 51-year-old complained of feeling sore after the attack but did not seek hospital treatment and later died

The man was insulted and punched after urinating near the Johannes Church in Freiburg (Google Maps)

A middle-aged man was fatally beaten after urinating near a church in southern Germany, his son has said.

The 51-year-old died several hours after he was involved in an altercation with four men near Johannes Church in Freiburg.

His death was reported to police by his son, who claimed a fight had broken out after his father relieved himself in the vicinity of the church. He said the men insulted his father before physically assaulting him.

According to witness reports, three of the men were said to be about 30 years old and the fourth was stockily built and in his early to mid 50s.

One of the men was said to be “strikingly tall and slender”, and all four were of “Mediterranean appearance”.

The victim reportedly complained of pains in his upper body following the attack, but did not involve the emergency services in the hours prior to his death.

A subsequent postmortem revealed it was likely he died as a result of injuries sustained during the altercation.

Police in Freiburg confirmed they have launched an investigation and were searching for those responsible for the attack.