German police establish "controlled area" in Bautzen
The Saxony State Ministry of the Interior has decided to check the identities of people walking around Bautzen's "Kornplatz" square. "Suspicious" people without a valid ID card can be taken to the police station.
Following violent clashes between far-right groups and asylum seekers under the age of 18 in the central square of Bautzen, the Saxony state police announced that the ID cards of people walking around the square will be checked without any reason. Those without valid ID will be taken to the police station. The reason for this decision, which was approved by the Saxony state interior ministry, is to prevent theft, violations of assembly regulations, public disturbance and the risk of explosion.
Violent encounters
Far-right groups and some refugees under the age of 18 living in the area have been gathering in and around Bautzen Square for months, drinking alcohol and insulting each other, disrupting the peace of the area. On Wednesday evening (September 14), these mutual insults and provocations turned into physical clashes, with glass bottles and stones thrown at each other.
According to news reports, police units were forced to use pepper spray and batons to end the tension and restore calm in the square. It is said that the refugees also threw glass bottles and sticks at the police officers. After the refugees left the square, far-right protesters began demonstrating with slogans such as "Our market remains German" and "We are the representatives of the people."
The Saxony State Ministry of the Interior has decided to check the identities of people walking around Bautzen's "Kornplatz" square. "Suspicious" people without a valid ID card can be taken to the police station.
In the wake of the tensions, the Saxony state administration has banned the movement of asylum seekers under the age of 18 after 7 p.m. The agency's spokeswoman, Franziska Snelisk, recommends that asylum seekers not leave their accommodation during the day. "Of course, we don't want to imprison these young people," Snelisk told the Tagesspiegel newspaper.
According to Bautzen police, more than 350 people gathered in the area again on Thursday evening (September 15). The rally ended without any clashes.
Creating a “closed residence”
Rainer Wendt, head of the Saxony Police Officers' Association, called for the creation of "closed residences" for asylum seekers under the age of 18 who regularly commit crimes in an interview with Hesse state radio on Saturday (September 17).
He pointed out that the police are obliged to release criminals within an hour of their arrest, and said: “Then these criminals go back to the streets and commit crimes.” Wendt criticized the situation of refugees who are “drunk and senseless on this street and that square at 3 a.m.,” and said: “In ‘closed residences,’ experienced officials can provide a better future for young people by implementing educational, training, and sports programs.” He expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that “resolving and reversing immigration messes” has been left to police officers.
Source: DW
