Riots at doner kebab opening in Dortmund: police officers pelted with bottles
The opening of a snack bar in Dortmund offering doner kebab for one euro attracted hundreds of visitors and triggered violence against police. Multiple criminal proceedings have been initiated.
Chaos in Dortmund: cheap doner kebab draws crowds, police attacked
The opening of a doner kebab snack bar in the east of Dortmund descended into serious rioting on Sunday afternoon. As krone.at reports, the operators had advertised an opening offer online – doner for one euro – and had also promised prize draws. Hundreds of people, including numerous minors, subsequently flocked to the new establishment called "Food Lover".
Bottles, stones and an e-scooter against emergency responders
Although the shop owner had hired private security, the situation outside the business quickly spiralled out of control. The operator eventually called the police themselves. Upon the officers' arrival, they were pelted with bottles, stones, pyrotechnics, an e-scooter and a chair, according to a police spokesperson. Tram services on the busy street in front of the snack bar had to be suspended temporarily.
A police vehicle was damaged by stone throws. The emergency responders requested reinforcement, including a unit of riot police. A helicopter monitored the situation from the air.
"Events, or recently also gatherings, have been taken over for some time by people who are intent on nothing other than violence," explained Dortmund Police President Tim Frommeyer.
Blank-firing gun found, multiple proceedings initiated
When searching a person who had refused to leave the scene, officers seized a blank-firing gun. One person was provisionally detained. Multiple criminal proceedings have been initiated – including for breach of the peace, property damage and insult. According to police, children were reportedly among the alleged attackers. There were no injuries.
Investigators are now evaluating extensive video material to identify further suspects.
Business owner under scrutiny from authorities
The business proprietor is also coming under the scrutiny of investigators. The police spokesperson explained that they are examining whether he should bear the operational costs. Anyone who advertises an opening online so massively and links gambling to it must expect enormous crowds. The organised security service was simply not equal to the situation.
Online advertising with prize draws and iPhone promises
The opening had been heavily advertised in advance on the Instagram account "foodloveressen". In numerous videos a man can be seen who calls himself "Musti" and is considered to be one of the operators. He had announced an "Umrah prize draw" as well as an "iPhone 18 Pro Max prize draw" and called on followers to participate.
On the opening day he backtracked: "Friends, we are not doing the Umrah prize draw today, the iPhone prize draw either. It is too much chaos." Videos show a crossed-out poster advertising iPhones and simultaneously promoting a trip to Umrah in Saudi Arabia in January.
On Instagram, the operator subsequently announced "a far-reaching statement". The situation had escalated, with more than 1,000 people present at the location. "Some of them unfortunately could not behave at all and we do not stand for that," it stated there.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)