Eruption of violence during New Year's Eve in Berlin. Injured officers, policemen drawn into ambushes
On New Year's Eve in Berlin, for another year in a row, there were numerous serious incidents involving pyrotechnic materials. Numerous videos have appeared on social media showing fireworks exploding low over the heads of those celebrating or being fired at police cars and policemen. On a troubled night, over 400 people were arrested and approximately 30 police officers were injured.
What happened in Berlin on New Year's Eve?
How many people were arrested?
What injuries did the police suffer?
What legal changes does the police spokesman demand?
In response to the riots, Berlin police union spokesman Benjamin Jendro demanded legal changes. — In 2026, we definitely need a different framework of action: a nationwide ban on fireworks or at least a drastic limitation on their sale, he said in an interview with the t-Online portal.
Germany wants to tighten the regulations
According to the spokesman, police officers were “deliberately led into ambushes so that they could be attacked.”
As he emphasized, the situation has consequences for the entire city. “Many people in Berlin are afraid to go out on New Year's Eve. What is happening is not normal. Only thanks to our colleagues, no more serious incidents occurred,” Jendro said.
Shortly before New Year's Eve, the Minister of Justice, Stefanie Hubig, published a draft bill providing for stricter penalties for attacks on representatives of the uniformed services. Assault on a policeman, firefighter or medical service worker will be punishable by a minimum of six months in prison instead of the current three. Anyone who lures the services into an ambush and attacks them there will have to face a penalty of at least one year in prison.
