In the investigations into animal welfare violations at the Aschaffenburg slaughterhouse, the number of suspects has increased. The public prosecutor’s office is now investigating a double-digit number of people, as a spokeswoman said on Friday. Several media had previously reported.
According to the information, the authority is also examining the suspicion of withholding and embezzling wages against two managing directors of the slaughterhouse. One is also under suspicion of incitement to betrayal of secrets. An official veterinarian is being investigated on suspicion of betraying secrets and several slaughterhouse employees are being investigated for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. A shareholder and a business partner of the slaughterhouse are also being investigated.
Allegations against the slaughterhouse became known at the end of July. Video footage, said to have come from the slaughterhouse, shows workers shocking pigs and cattle with electric batons and dismantling animals that were apparently still alive. The Bavarian Control Authority for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (KBLV) has banned the operation of the slaughterhouse until further notice during a subsequent inspection. An official veterinarian is said to have warned the slaughterhouse of controls.
Similar violations of animal welfare were also raised against a company in the neighboring district of Miltenberg. The district office has initially prohibited operations there.