Tuesday, July 9
Witnesses needed: Masked neo-Nazis attack protest at Ostkreuz
On June 6, at around 16:10, a group of anti-fascist demonstrators were gathering in front of Denn’s supermarket at Ostkreuz when they were targeted and set upon by 15-20 masked right-wing radicals. The Nazis attacked the group with pepper spray, brass knuckles and batons, injuring three people badly enough that an ambulance was required. The perpetrators all made a swift escape, but police are now seeking witnesses.
The victims were on their way to a demonstration in Marzahn-Hellersdorf which sought to protest right-wing activity in the district. In particular, a small extremist right-wing party called the “Third Way” have been active there: ahead of the demonstration, the Neo-Nazi group published a threatening photo in front of a wall daubed with a message stating that the neighbourhood “belonged” to them.
According to the Berlin Register, which records such incidents, this is the first right-wing extremist violence in Friedrichshain for 10 years, with the last comparable incident occurring in September 2015. A policewoman was among those injured in the attack.
