The Public Prosecution Service is once again investigating two police officers who allegedly used unnecessary violence at a protest by environmental organization Extinction Rebellion. In concrete terms, it is about whether an activist has been pulled by the hair.
On July 5, Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists gathered in front of the Vorarlberger Landhaus in Bregenz to protest against the “Tunnelspinne Feldkirch” road project. According to XR members, there was unnecessary police violence against well-known activist Marina Hagen-Canaval.
“Marina Hagen-Canaval was grabbed from behind by two police officers without warning and dragged off the square. The officers injured the activist: she suffered a shoulder injury, a psychogenic reaction and her hair was pulled again. The officers ignored the cries of pain from the young woman. The public prosecutor’s office is now investigating the two police officers,” says a letter from the activists.
One time reprimand
Just a few days ago, the Vorarlberg Administrative Court condemned similar behavior by a police officer during a protest in December as disrespectful and demeaning. “The Vorarlberg Administrative Court rightly accepted our complaint and ruled that police officers should avoid anything that could be perceived as bias based on political activity. Yet another incident occurred at Landhaus Bregenz,” explains lawyer Thomas Kienbauer.
“Trust Has Suffered”
Now the prosecutor’s office is investigating again. The officials are charged with bodily harm and criminal offenses using an official position (§83 and §313 StGB). “What frightens me the most is that despite my cries of pain, the police wouldn’t let me go,” says Hagen-Canaval. Her trust in the Vorarlberg police suffered greatly as a result.
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.
