After the verdict against a left-wing extremist, Leipzig does not relax. The balance of the riots so far: dozens injured, burning barricades and cars, about 30 arrests. The German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced that she would keep an eye on the left-wing extremist scene. A demonstration planned for Sunday evening has now been banned by the city of Leipzig – but it is questionable whether this will contribute to de-escalation…
From an initially peaceful demonstration with more than 1,500 people, stones, bottles and a firebomb were again thrown at police officers on Saturday evening. The troops surrounded about 1,000 demonstrators. According to police reports, about 50 police officers, as well as protesters, were injured. Despite a demonstration ban imposed by the city, new riots are now feared on Sunday evening.
“There is no justification for senseless violence”
“The senseless violence of left-wing extremist chaos and rioters cannot be justified by anything,” Faeser said on Sunday. “Anyone who throws stones, bottles and petrol bombs at police officers must be consistently held accountable.” Federal and state security authorities would continue to closely monitor and intervene in the violent left-wing extremist scene in the coming days and weeks. consistently if it was criminal – and acts of violence are coming.
The police are investigating serious disturbances of public order and attacks on police officers. In addition to the arrests, between 40 and 50 people were taken into custody and released by Sunday afternoon. In addition, the prisoners sometimes had to wait for hours for the police to register their identities. “Shortly after 5 a.m., processing crews found the last identity,” it said.
Politicians praise the actions of the police
The city council and police defended the procedure. Unfortunately, violent criminals interfered in the peacefully announced demonstration and took advantage of it, Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung (SPD) said. It was therefore right to ban two other demonstrations in advance. Police chief René Demmler spoke of “a lot of senseless, extreme violence”. It was necessary to de-escalate forcefully. Saxon Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU) praised on Twitter the “successful handling of operations in a particularly challenging situation”. He wished the injured police officer a speedy recovery. “Saxony is proud of you!”
The federal chairman of the German police union Rainer Wendt warned: “No matter how correct the fight against right-wing extremism is, left-wing extremism should no longer be regarded as an afterthought.” The operational concept in Leipzig prevented the worst from happening. “The rule of law has triumphed despite thousands of acts of violence.” The complaints from left-wing circles are cynical and unbelievable.
Does the ban threaten a new escalation?
But there was clear criticism of the police’s actions. The parliamentary secretary of the left in the Saxon state parliament, Marco Böhme, criticized that she had escalated the situation by the “actual ban” on a solidarity demonstration for the convicted Lina E.. The SPD politician Albrecht Pallas spoke of a “provocative approach” from the police. She acted unnecessarily harshly when pushing bystanders away and surrounded many people for hours. “The massive police presence or the resulting massive police response to trifles had an escalating effect, affecting bystanders in particular.”
The left-wing group now wants to raise the operation in the internal committee of the state parliament. To this end, her parliamentary group will request a special session on Monday, MP Kerstin Köditz said via Twitter. “The background to the violations of fundamental rights, especially the kettle, needs clarification.”
Left-wing extremist sentenced to prison
The cause of the riots was the verdict against the left-wing extremist Lina E. and three co-defendants for attacks on (alleged) neo-Nazis, in which several, some seriously, were injured. The 28-year-old was sentenced to five years and three months in prison by the Higher Regional Court of Dresden on Wednesday, but was initially released.
The city had banned a solidarity demonstration “Day X” planned for Saturday, which was mobilized throughout Germany. Already on Saturday evening there were clashes between left-wing radicals and the police in the city. Police were in town over the weekend with a large contingent including water cannons and helicopters. The operation continued on Sunday, the police were prepared for further disturbances. A demonstration in the south of Leipzig
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
