Intensification of criticism of German police violence against Palestinian supporters

According to the report of Tasnim International News Agency, citing the German “De Sight” magazine, the evacuation of a protest camp in support of the Palestinians in the Berlin government area has led to violent protests. During these protests, clashes occurred between demonstrators and police officers and many were arrested.

Police forces have been criticized for their sometimes brutal approach and talk of police brutality has been raised on social media. It is said that the published recorded videos show that the participants in the protests were beaten by the police forces.

On Sunday, the police spokesperson informed about the “comprehensive investigation of the events and the actions of the dispatched officers” and announced: “Investigations are underway to determine if there were any complaints or criminal charges.”

On Friday, the German police dismantled a protest camp in support of the Palestinians near the German Chancellor's office and banned similar protests. About 150 police officers arrived in the area and collected the protesters' tents and took them away. In justifying this ban, the police said that the participants in the camp have repeatedly committed crimes, including sedition. In addition, the police stated that certain restrictions that had been imposed were not observed.

With the ban, all alternative events were also banned across the city until May 13. Berlin's administrative court has upheld the ban, police said. It was initially unclear whether the organizers would file a complaint with the Berlin-Brandenburg High Administrative Court.

Despite this ban, dozens of supporters of the Palestinians and this protest camp continued to gather in the government area until the evening after the camp was dispersed on Friday and protested loudly against this police action. Police forces pulled the demonstrators out of the crowd and pushed others back. Demonstrators chanted slogans against the police.

As of Friday evening at 10 p.m., a total of 161 people had been arrested in a short notice, police said on Saturday. 42 criminal investigations have been launched, including police allegations of breach of peace, incitement to hatred or assault on law enforcement officers. Also, 89 administrative violations have been registered. According to available information, around 380 police officers were on duty during these protests.

On Friday evening, an unannounced meeting was held in Berlin-Neukölln. Police announced that slogans in support of the Palestinians were chanted and incendiary materials were thrown. About 150 people gathered in Hermann Platz, some wearing masks. Three police officers were injured and two of them were treated as outpatients at the hospital.

According to the police spokesperson, 59 cases of so-called arrests and 28 cases of criminal investigations, including incitement to hatred, have been ongoing. According to the police, the gathering was completely dispersed after two hours.

According to the police spokesperson, two officers were injured during the pro-Palestinian demonstration in Nukulen on Saturday. According to police estimates, about 750 people came to the registered demonstration in Hermann Platz. It is said that around 280 police officers were present at the scene. Seven cases were opened against the protesters, including those suspected of inciting hatred, damaging property, insulting or physically assaulting law enforcement officers. According to the police spokesperson, 8 men and 3 women were temporarily arrested during these protests.

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