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The city of Darmstadt, known for its science, condemns violence following identity checks at Copernicus Square
The science city of Darmstadt condemns the attack on two city police officers, which occurred on Monday, February 9, during a routine identity check at Kopernikusplatz in the Martinsviertel district.
According to the city, a city police officer was injured by a punch to the face and subsequently suffered injuries to his arms and hands during the subduing of the 40-year-old suspect.
Mayor Hanno Benz and Paul Georg Wandrey, the city police commissioner responsible for public order, expressed their horror at the violence:
"We condemn in the strongest possible terms the fact that our employees were once again subjected to physical violence and injured during an operation. We will vehemently oppose this misconduct. We thank the employees for their commitment to the safety of our citizens and send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the victim."
Operation over public urination escalates
According to the city, the operation was triggered by a report from a resident about a man urinating in public. The patrol confronted the man and asked him for his personal information. After some initial hesitation, he handed over his ID card so that his details could be recorded.
During the check, the suspect was loud, provocative, and aggressive. When the city police officer issued him a dispersal order, the situation escalated. A scuffle ensued, during which the officer was punched in the face, resulting in three minor wounds on his left chin. He also sustained abrasions and skin abrasions on his hands while defending himself.
A patrol from the 1st Police Precinct, called to the scene, took the suspect into custody at the South Hesse Police Headquarters after his arrest. Criminal proceedings were initiated against him on suspicion of resisting arrest and assaulting law enforcement officers and equivalent personnel.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/dk)
