G20 in Hamburg: Three police officers face court over unjustified violence
In connection with the riots at the 2017 G20 summit in Hamburg, three police officers must answer in court for unjustified physical violence against protesters.
G20 in Hamburg: Three police officers face court over unjustified violence
In the aftermath of the 2017 G20 summit in Hamburg, three police officers are facing court proceedings. They are accused of having applied unjustified physical violence against demonstrators during protests against the world economic summit.
The allegations relate to incidents during the severe riots in July 2017, when thousands of people in the Hanseatic city protested against the meeting of heads of state and government. During clashes between demonstrators and security forces, numerous people on both sides were injured at the time.
According to the prosecution, the three accused officers used force in specific situations that was not justified by their policing duties. The precise circumstances of the acts alleged against them will need to be clarified in the proceedings.
The trial once again sheds light on the controversial police operations during the G20 summit. At that time, security forces were confronted with an extraordinarily difficult situation: simultaneously they had to ensure the protection of visiting state delegations, combat serious rioting and protect non-violent protesters.
The processing of the G20 events has been ongoing for years. In addition to criminal proceedings against demonstrators and autonomous activists, several investigations into police officers were also initiated. Critics accuse the authorities of having taken disproportionately harsh action in some cases.
The defence of the accused officers is likely to contend that the police officers acted in an extreme emergency situation and that their measures were appropriate in the respective context. The court will now have to examine the individual cases.
Source: Google News DE — Crime (de)