Vienna court hears case of alleged police brutality
A 54-year-old man suffered serious injuries during his arrest at Schwarzenbergplatz, which according to charges resulted in a stroke. Four officers now face court.
Vienna court hears case of alleged police brutality
Four police officers have faced court at Vienna's regional court since this week. The charge: a man then aged 54 was treated so roughly during his arrest in May 2024 in the city centre that he subsequently suffered a stroke.
The incident occurred on 9 May 2024 at Schwarzenbergplatz. According to the charges, an officer caused a cervical spine trauma during the arrest, which subsequently led to a stroke. The man affected is from Ukraine.
After the arrest, police officers took the man to the detention centre at Rossauer Lände. There he was locked in a cell for several hours. Despite repeated calls for help, pressing the emergency button and clear signs of health problems, no one responded, according to the charges.
Only late in the evening was the man brought before a police legal adviser. By this time he was already sitting in a wheelchair and clearly unable to walk. Nevertheless, the legal adviser is said to have conducted a questioning, although witnesses described the man's condition as completely disoriented.
The public prosecutor accuses the officer who carried out the arrest of negligent assault with serious consequences. An out-of-court settlement is being considered for him. The three other defendants – the intake supervisor, the guard on duty and the police legal adviser – face the more serious charges of abuse of office and mistreatment or neglect of a prisoner.
All defendants are presumed innocent until the court has reached a final decision.
Source: 5 Minuten
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)