December 23, 2020, 1:05 p.m.
Berlin (dpa) There are at least 72 crimes, including more than 20 arson in Neukölln. The police have long suspected men from the right-wing extremist scene. There are now two men in custody.
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A burnt-out van from an internet provider is on Treptower Strasse in Neukölln.
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The police arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged right-wing extremist series of attacks in Berlin-Neukölln. This was announced by the Attorney General’s office on Twitter.
The series of attacks involves several dozen acts such as arson and threats, especially between 2016 and 2018.
The police had suspected men from the right-wing extremist scene for a long time, but so far have not been able to prove anything. The crimes in Neukölln were directed against people and initiatives that are committed against right-wing extremism.
The series of attacks also sparked a political debate. There was also talk of investigation mishaps. Because the Berlin police could not catch any perpetrators despite years of investigations, an investigation team was also set up in spring 2019.
In addition, two special investigators were appointed in October this year. You should re-examine the at least 72 acts such as arson and threats, especially between 2016 and 2018, review the entire investigation and identify possible errors by the police.
Berlin’s Senator for the Interior, Andreas Geisel (SPD), had previously said in September: “There are clear assumptions about who are responsible for these acts.” He also admitted that there were failures and mishaps in the investigation. Victims were not warned, even though the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the police knew that they were being spied on by the suspected neo-Nazis. Police chief Barbara Slowik admitted in autumn that the investigative group of the criminal police in Neukölln was too small and that the staff was “insufficient”.
The left-wing member of the Bundestag Martina Renner welcomed the arrest of the suspects. This is “a satisfaction for everyone who has suffered from the series of attacks that has been going on since 2016 and who have tirelessly pointed out the alleged perpetrators of the two neo-Nazis who have now been arrested,” Renner told the editorial network Germany (RND). There are now two main points that are decisive: “Can all attacks in Neukölln be attributed to the two, or just individual ones? Second, the question of possible accomplices and supporters must be clarified. ” The circle of alleged helpers is limited, said Renner. “I expect the investigative authorities to act quickly with the help of the new findings.”
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201223-99-795702 / 6
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