German police create ‘controlled area’ in Bautzen city
Based on a decision by the Interior Ministry of Saxony state, the identity of individuals moving around the “Corn” square in Bautzen city will be subject to control. “Suspicious” individuals lacking valid identification cards can be brought to police stations.
Following severe clashes between far-right groups and underage refugees at the central square in Bautzen city, the police authorities of Saxony state announced that the identification cards of people who henceforth move around the mentioned square will be inspected without particular reason. Those lacking valid identification documents will be brought to the police office. The reason for adopting this decision, which was made with the approval of the Interior Ministry of Saxony state, has been cited as preventing the occurrence of theft crimes, violation of regulations related to gatherings, public disturbance, and explosion danger.
Violent Confrontations
Far-right groups and some underage refugees living in this area have been gathering at Bautzen square and its surroundings day and night for months, and by drinking alcohol and cursing each other, they have disturbed the peace of the place. On Wednesday evening (September 14), these mutual insults and provocations turned into physical altercations, throwing glass bottles and stones at each other.
According to news agency 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 refugees also threw glass bottles and wooden sticks at police officers. After refugees left the mentioned square, far-right extremists staged protests with slogans such as “Our market remains German” and “We are representatives of the people.”
Based on a decision by the Interior Ministry of Saxony state, the identity of individuals moving around the “Corn” square in Bautzen city will be subject to control. “Suspicious” individuals lacking valid identification cards can be brought to police stations.
Following these tensions, the Saxony state office banned the movement of underage refugees after 7 PM. Franziska Senlesk, a spokesperson for this office, recommends that refugees should not leave their place of residence even during the day. However, Senlesk added in an interview with the newspaper “Tages Spiegel”: “Of course, we do not want to imprison these young people.”
According to a report by Bautzen city police, on Thursday evening (September 15) again more than 350 people gathered in this area. However, this gathering ended without confrontation.
Creating “Closed Accommodation”
Rainer Wendt, head of the Saxony police officers’ union, on Saturday (September 17) in an interview with Hesse state radio, called for the creation of “closed accommodations” for underage refugees who regularly commit violations and crimes.
While referring to the fact that police are obliged to release offenders one hour after arrest, he said: “But then these culprits go back to the streets and commit crimes again.” Wendt criticized the situation of refugees who are “drunk and irrational at 3 AM on this street and that square,” and said: “In ‘closed accommodations,’ experienced officials can provide a better future for young people by implementing educational, training, and sports programs.” He expressed dissatisfaction that “resolving immigration malpractices” has been entrusted to police officers.
Source: DW
