A man died after a police check in Mannheim. His body was confiscated for further investigation, as announced by the Mannheim public prosecutor and the Baden-Württemberg State Criminal Police Office (LKA) in Stuttgart.
According to the information, two officers checked the 47-year-old on Monday around noon near the market square. He defended himself against the control and was then overpowered by the police officers. Suddenly the man collapsed and had to be revived. He died in the hospital.
Demonstrators accuse police of racist violence
Not many details were initially available about what exactly happened. As the authorities announced, a doctor from the Central Institute for Mental Health in Mannheim had informed the police about the 47-year-old. The man is his patient and needs help. The two officers and the doctor then went in search of the man until they discovered him in the city center. The officials used “immediate coercion” during the check, it said. The public prosecutor’s office and the LKA did not give any details.
According to initial findings, it was unclear why the man suddenly collapsed. The officers and the doctor immediately started first aid. “The rescue workers who were called took care of the unconscious person and took him to the University Hospital in Mannheim,” it said.
People have gathered on the market square to protest against police violence. It is currently unclear whether the incident actually has a racist background.
(Photo: René Priebe/dpa)
According to a police spokesman, around 100 to 150 people gathered in the market square in the evening after the incident. Left groups called for clarification on social media. Videos have been circulating online showing the incident. An officer then hits the man in the head. Demonstrators accused the police of racist violence on signs.
The LKA wrote on Twitter: “To prevent false reports, the deceased is NOT a Turkish citizen.” The nationality of the man was not disclosed. An LKA spokesman could not initially be reached for questions. The police did not comment on the incident. The LKA has taken over the investigations – in particular the course of the police operation. It was initially unclear when further findings could be expected.