Because of a protest against the Bundeswehr, a demonstrator was taken away on Saturday. This led to the use of force by officials, which triggered criticism. Now the police are investigating in their own ranks.
After a controversial use of police officers against a man during a protest action on Bundeswehr Day in Brandenburg/Havel, two officers are being investigated. A video of the operation on Saturday is circulating on the Internet, showing two officers taking a young man away, one of them also pushes the man to the ground with a special grip. This video drew sharp criticism online.
“Regarding the actions of the police officers, there is a criminal complaint for bodily harm in the office,” the police said on Sunday. “The investigation into this is ongoing.” A spokeswoman for the police headquarters said: “Of course we will take the criminal complaint accordingly and investigate it.” It was initially unclear who the ad came from.
Protest action in Brandenburg/Havel
At the Bundeswehr Day in Brandenburg/Havel there was a protest on Saturday. According to the police, four people had their white T-shirts doused with red liquid and then lay on the ground. One person used a megaphone. The police issued place references. The controversial operation took place in connection with the protest.
In the video, a witness to the incident can be heard asking, “What’s the point of such brutality?” An officer replied, “I told him to sit down. (…) I killed him.” He warned, “Step aside or I’ll put you next to it.”
Left-wing member of the Bundestag Anke Domscheit-Berg showed the video via Twitter and wrote: “Police violence in Brandenburg an der Havel – just hit your face for no reason, that just doesn’t work!”
The video comes from a witness on site who is a trustworthy source, Domscheit-Berg told the German Press Agency. “There had been no aggression or acts of violence before.” The video had been viewed more than 800,000 times by Sunday evening.
Police are also investigating the incident in Königs Wusterhausen
After Death of a 45-year-old after a police operation Investigations against officials are also underway in Niederlehme near Königs Wusterhausen in mid-April. They had overpowered a 45-year-old man because he is said to have behaved aggressively, bitten and kicked. According to the police, the officers also used pepper spray and tied up the man with the help of local residents. After that he passed out. First aid was given and an ambulance was called. The man was taken to a Berlin hospital, where he died a day later. Relatives had filed criminal charges against the officers involved.
Broadcast: rbb24 Brandenburg aktuell, June 18th, 2023, 7.30 p.m
