State security investigates AfD councillor after assault on police officer in Burglengenfeld
AfD councillor Markus Leopold is accused of making racist insults towards pizzeria staff and attacking a police officer.
AfD councillor assaults police officer – state security involved
Bavarian AfD councillor Markus Leopold (33) from Burglengenfeld is at the centre of an investigation by state security. According to BILD, Leopold is said to have made racist insults towards employees of a pizzeria during the "Italian Night" in his home town, become involved in a confrontation with security staff, and subsequently attacked a police officer.
According to pub owner Slimen Ben Dhafer (48), the incident escalated around 1:30 a.m. when Leopold was refused alcohol at his stand. "He had been a guest of ours before, I never had a problem with him. But this time there was a row over serving alcohol – he had already had too much to drink," Ben Dhafer told BILD. When Leopold began pushing and protesting loudly, security staff intervened.
Leopold is said to have called security staff members "cattle" and "arsehole". Christian Ach (45), managing director of the security company of the same name, explained to BILD: "He told my employee that she should go back where she came from."
According to the Upper Palatinate police headquarters, police officers who were called to the scene encountered an "uncooperative and aggressive" Leopold. Police spokesman Jonas Krauß stated: "After he disregarded a police dispersal order and attempted to grab a police equipment item during identity verification, police force had to be used." Leopold is said to have grabbed the belt of an officer, to which a baton, torch, pepper spray and spare magazine were attached.
To prove his identity, Leopold produced his AfD membership card. He was then handcuffed and spent the rest of the night in police custody. He did not provide a statement to BILD on Wednesday evening.
Police confirmed investigations against a public official. Amberg criminal police are conducting the proceedings on suspicion of resisting law enforcement officers and insulting conduct. Leopold also faces consequences in his home municipality: Ach stated that a ban from the forthcoming citizens' festival should be considered. "For a councillor to behave like this at a city event is absolutely unacceptable," Ach said.
Source: BILD