Gießen: Police President condemns violent attacks on the Hessenhallen – proceedings initiated for serious breaches of the peace – working group set up
Last Saturday, around 5 p.m., around 100 people attacked helpers and visitors to a cultural festival planned for Saturday evening at the Hessenhallen in Gießen. Apparently, the attackers were participants in a meeting that was thematically directed against the cultural event. The attackers climbed over barriers and suddenly attacked people with batons, iron bars, knives and stones. Police forces who were already on site were also attacked by the people and stones thrown at them. The raid-like attack could only be carried out by the police with the use of police tools (e.g
There were repeated isolated attacks on emergency services and other people afterwards. The attackers repeatedly showed a high level of violence and aggressive behavior. There is much to suggest that the attacks were planned actions.
The event in the Hessenhallen had to be broken up by the police at around 8.15 p.m. in order to minimize ongoing risks and to ward off other specific dangers to public safety and order.
The situation was calmed down late on Saturday evening, in particular due to the intensive deployment of around 300 officers. The identities of around 75 people who may be involved in the attacks on the Hessenhallen have been determined. A similar number of dismissals were granted. Evidence such as batons and stabbing weapons were seized.
26 helpers and participants of the planned festival were injured. In addition, seven police officers suffered minor injuries – they were able to continue their service.
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the violent attacks and attacks last Saturday at the Hessenhallen in Giessen, in which several people were injured. There is no justification for these acts. I assure you that we will try with all the means at our disposal to to identify the perpetrators and call them to account. I would like to express my thanks to all the police officers who, using their health, mastered the difficult operation on the night of Sunday excellently,” said the Central Hessian police chief Bernd Paul.
The police headquarters in Central Hesse set up a working group headed by the state security service to clarify the matter. It is determined, among other things, on suspicion of bodily harm, dangerous bodily harm, property damage and serious breach of the peace.
So far, the police have already received several tips. Many videos were also sent to the police.
Source: Dehai Eritrea Online