Refugee Injured in Shelter: Police Officer in Court - Berlin police officer on trial for brutal assault on Syrian refugee in shelter
A Berlin police officer is standing trial for allegedly assaulting a 50-year-old Syrian man at a refugee shelter in June 2022. The incident left the victim with severe facial fractures, including a broken cheekbone, eye socket, and jaw. Proceedings opened recently at the Tiergarten District Court, with the 41-year-old defendant—himself a former officer—remaining silent as the case unfolded.
Further hearings have since taken place at the Berlin Regional Court, where 12 additional witnesses described the events of October 15, 2024, in Berlin-Mitte. Eight testified to excessive force, while four gave neutral accounts of the arrest.
The confrontation began after the injured man's teenage niece made an emergency call. When police arrived at the shelter, they found several people inside, including the victim and his brother. Officers ordered the man to leave the room, but he refused. According to accounts, they then dragged him into the hallway, where the alleged assault took place.
The defendant is accused of striking the man repeatedly, including one blow with significant force. Witness statements from officers conflict: one claimed the man resisted physically, while another said he kicked and swung at them. The victim, however, denies any aggression and told the court he still suffers psychological effects from the attack. Medical records confirm the severity of his injuries, which required surgery. The trial, which resumed on March 12, 2026, will continue on March 19 to hear more testimony.
The court has now heard from multiple witnesses, with eight supporting claims of excessive force and four offering neutral descriptions. The trial remains ongoing, with further evidence expected in the coming sessions. A verdict has yet to be reached.
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