Berlin’s Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey and Senator for the Interior Iris Spranger (both SPD) want to introduce a package of measures in the Senate in response to the New Year’s Eve riot on Tuesday. It needs a “new impetus” and a broad effort in several areas. “There must be a concerted action in school, in youth social work, in police prevention work, but also in youth court assistance,” said Giffey on Wednesday.
Interior Senator Spranger announced a three-point plan. She doesn’t want to wait for the test run with 300 bodycams for emergency services, but to procure 4,000 devices as quickly as possible. “We would then have more evidence of the crimes committed on New Year’s Eve. The delay in the bodycams is clearly at the expense of the rescue and emergency services. And that doesn’t work at all,” Spranger told the Tagesspiegel.
Extension of firecracker ban zones should be examined
“It’s not about rushing into action, it’s about having the courage to do it quickly. New Year’s Eve has shown that it is now about the safety of the emergency services and the people of Berlin,” said the senator. Green parliamentary group leader Werner Graf criticized: “I don’t think it’s well thought out to cut out large numbers for the election campaign.” The test agreed by the coalition is the better way.
In addition, Spranger wants to examine an expansion of no-gun zones. “We can do that ourselves in Berlin,” she said. In the conference of interior ministers, which she will chair next week, the SPD politician wants to talk about an opening clause for the federal states in explosives legislation.
“Each federal state should be given the opportunity to react flexibly to operational situations, with minor deviations up to and including a ban,” said Spranger. Of the people who came to a hospital on New Year’s Eve, 30 percent “were shot at by others with firecrackers, including children.” “That’s irresponsible.”
Purchase of alarm guns only with a small gun license
In addition, Spranger wants stricter rules for the sale of blank guns. “The problem is that any 18-year-old can purchase a blank gun and ammunition without any further testing, without further proof. This is exactly what needs to be put to the test,” said Spranger. She wants to prescribe the so-called small gun license and the associated reliability check for the purchase.
“But the core question should not be neglected: Why is the blank gun needed at all?” said the senator. This question should be included as a further prerequisite in such a review process. “So two steps: checking the reliability and suitability as standard for the small gun license, supplemented by proof of a special need,” said Spranger.
On New Year’s Eve, there were numerous attacks on the police and fire brigade in Berlin, more than 30 employees were injured – Among other things, videos showed how an unknown person fired a police car with a stun gun. So far, these models can be bought freely in stores or on the Internet. The buyer must be over 18 years old, there are no other requirements.
Central office and information portal of the police
Police and prosecutors are now bundling investigations into the riots. The police set up a central office to coordinate and evaluate all procedures and an information portal on the Internet for photos and videos. At the prosecutor’s office, the cases are bundled in the department for hooligan violence.
“This should also enable prioritized processing of the proceedings against juvenile and adolescent suspects, for whom a rapid state reaction seems particularly necessary,” said both authorities.
145
arrests there was in the riots.
According to the police, 145 people were arrested during the riots, 139 of them men. All suspects were released after the police measures were completed. 27 suspects are minors, 67 more between 18 and 25 years old, 21 more between 26 and 30 years. A total of 18 different nationalities were recorded. 45 of the suspects have German citizenship. This was followed by 27 suspects of Afghan nationality and 21 Syrians.
A total of 355 criminal and administrative offense proceedings were initiated because of the riots. Among other things, they are being investigated for breach of the peace, attack on and resistance to law enforcement officers and rescue workers, dangerous bodily harm and causing an explosive explosion.
Spranger said about 500 people had taken hostage all the other Berliners who were peacefully celebrating New Year’s Eve. Berlin is not a legal vacuum. “We don’t let anyone tell us from the outside that there is a security problem – that’s not the case,” said Spranger.
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