Justice Senator: consistent prosecution of New Year's Eve crimes

Created: 04/01/2023 17:32

Berlin Senator for Justice, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination Lena Kreck is standing in her office.

© Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa/archive image

Berlin's Senator for Justice Lena Kreck (left) has pledged consistent punishment for crimes related to the riots on New Year's Eve.

"There are serious allegations in the room," said the senator on Wednesday of the German Press Agency.

"For more effective processing, the New Year's Eve crimes are assigned to a special department that has special expertise in dynamic group violence," explained Kreck.

Berlin - As soon as the procedures in question were handed over by the police, they could be processed quickly.

On the night of New Year's Day, police officers and firefighters were attacked in several German cities.

The attacks were particularly violent in some areas of Berlin.

According to their own statements, the Berlin police have so far initiated 355 criminal and administrative offense proceedings.

The Berlin public prosecutor's office assumes that it will be responsible for 281 cases according to the current status.

A spokesman for the public prosecutor said that 41 of these cases involved dangerous bodily harm, and 21 cases involved particularly serious breaches of the peace.

In addition, 22 cases are being investigated for attacks on police officers and 26 cases because police cars have been destroyed.

So far, however, the investigation by the police continued, said the spokesman.

In addition, the public prosecutor's office expects further reports, especially from the Berlin fire brigade.

dpa