In the evening of Friday, a pedestrian patrol from the police office Ostadt was, as part of the pre-Christmas presence, on the square when they met a group of youths. Immediately, upon seeing them, the young migrants verbally attacked and insulted the uniformed law enforcement officers.
When the officers proceeded to secure the identity of the adolescents, they were met with more insults. The youths acted extremely aggressively, and threatened the officers. When one of the officers requested reinforcement by radio, the group went on the attack.
Using batons and pepper spray, the two officers were able to keep the attackers at a distance. Even when more units arrived at the scene, the situation did not calm down.
Only a strong deployment finally was able to arrest the four migrants.
As one of the young men did not have a passport with him, he was to be taken to Ostwache police station nearby.
During the transit, a 17-year-old and his 18-year-old companion attempted to free their friend. Again, supported by another 18-year-old, they attacked the officers.
Another 18-year-old who had not been involved up to this point interfered. He snatched a massive glass jug and threw the partially filled full jug into the crowd. An alert passer-by stopped the jug just in time and the glass crashed in front of his feet. Another acquaintance of the five troublemakers intervened. As he ignored several warnings, he, too, was taken into custody.
The first investigation showed that excessive consumption of alcohol probably hardly played a role in their violent behaviour. At the police station, the young men continued to act out most aggressively.
The preliminary result of the law enforcement effort, includes eighteen police cars deployed, six arrests, five officers injured by kicks and beatings, and one so badly that he was not able to continue duty.
The Juvenile Law Office has taken over the final processing and is investigating a case of dangerous battery, attempt to free prisoners, resisting officers, threat, and insult.
Witnesses are requested to call the police at 0621 / 1258-0 (downtown police station) or 0621 / 174-331-0 (Oststadt police station) to report their perceptions.