Second division riots in Braunschweig: Did a police officer hit a police officer?

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Eintracht Braunschweig fans

Photo:

Swen Pförtner/dpa

In the wake of the riots at the Eintracht Braunschweig stadium, the police are now also investigating their own emergency services.

A police spokesman confirmed this to SPIEGEL.

The “Braunschweiger Zeitung” had previously reported.

The background is an alleged assault by an officer from the BFE evidence preservation and arrest unit against an officer who was familiar with the scene.

The latter have regular contact with the fans and are generally given more trust by the organized fan scene.

On Saturday there were riots after the second division game between Braunschweig and Hertha BSC.

14 officials and, according to Eintracht, also a “double-digit” number of fans were injured.

An eight-year-old girl suffered a bruised skull, and other stadium visitors suffered serious facial injuries.

Eyewitnesses subsequently reported to Eintracht and Braunschweiger Fanhilfe about the violent police attacks.

Among the questions that reached the association was the following: "Why did a BFE officer attack a police officer who was familiar with the scene and who wanted to mediate with a punch in the face?"

“Officers who are familiar with the scene generally travel in civilian areas during football operations.”

The Braunschweig police wrote to SPIEGEL upon request: "We have received information on this matter, including from media reports," it said.

The operation on Saturday will not only be dealt with criminally, but also internally.

“We are currently investigating the matter you described and are trying to clarify it without reservation.”

Due to the ongoing investigation, the police were unable to answer questions about the background, such as whether the police officer was recognizable as such or what injuries he sustained.

The only thing is: “Officers who are familiar with the scene generally wear civilian clothes during football operations and sometimes wear vests with the inscription Police,” it said.

However, "highly dynamic operational situations" could lead to "police officers in civilian clothes not always being recognized and perceived as such."

If the incident actually happened, there could be repercussions.

“If, after the investigation has been completed, police officers are found to have behaved worthy of punishment, this will be examined under both criminal law and official law,” the police said.