fact finder
Status: 04.01.2023 6:00 p.m
The riots on New Year’s Eve have long since become a political issue. An alleged video of an attack on an ambulance is also fueling the mood on the Internet. The video is not from Berlin at all.
The scenes are shocking: several people attack an ambulance and throw objects into the open rear door. Other passers-by are standing around the car, filming the situation. The video, which was apparently recorded at night, lasts almost 30 seconds.
Who in the video throws the objects into the ambulance and why is not clear from the images. In the social networks, however, some users are certain: the scenes took place on New Year’s Eve in Berlin. Some versions of the video include the addition: “State of emergency in Berlin”.
The former ÖVP MP Efgani Dönmez writes about the video: “‘We can do it.’ (Angela Merkel, German Chancellor 2015) – New Year’s Eve 2023 in a former European capital”. A politician from the right-wing extremist NPD also shared the video and wrote: “These people belong on a special train – but not to Pankow, but back to their home countries as quickly as possible.” The video wasn’t even made in Berlin.
Video shows protests in Hong Kong
The video was captured in Hong Kong SAR, China, in November 2019, during protests against Beijing’s growing influence and pro-Beijing Hong Kong leadership. The video can be seen in higher resolution and longer versions on several video platforms, all of which were uploaded several years ago. These versions also clearly show that it cannot be about Berlin. For example, the ambulance looks different from the ones used in Germany. The surroundings, which can be seen in the longer version, do not suggest Berlin either.
The video was shot near a crossroads at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where protesters clashed with security forces. According to newspaper reports, a demonstrator was brought into the ambulance by the police. According to the Chinese state television broadcaster CCTV, the other demonstrators then attacked the ambulance and freed the woman. The broadcaster published the video on Twitter, among others. Also on the Hong Kong Free Press YouTube channel is it to see. There it has a length of 57 seconds.
Video has often been misused for disinformation
In the shortened version, which was widely distributed on social networks, it’s not all that easy to see at first glance – and served some to further heat up the discussion about New Year’s Eve.
Police and rescue workers were hindered in their work in several German cities on New Year’s Eve and fired on with firecrackers and rockets. There were particularly violent riots in Berlin. Since then, the migration background of some of those involved has also been discussed.
The police had arrested 145 people in connection with the riots – they had initially reported 159 arrested, but later corrected the number. For the first time, the police also provided information on the origin of the alleged perpetrators. Accordingly, they have 18 different nationalities. Most – 45 suspects – are German. This was followed by 27 suspects of Afghan nationality and 21 Syrians.
It is not the first time that the shortened video excerpt from Hong Kong has been used to stir up sentiment against people with a migration background.