Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner (CDU), has announced intense investigations following the attacks on emergency responders on New Year’s Eve.
“With gunfire, shooting at police with rubber bullets, or attacking rescue and firefighting personnel with pyrotechnics or stones – it’s unbelievable” Wegner told the Tagesspiegel on New Year’s Day. “We will never accept these attacks on our emergency responders and will also maintain a high level of investigative pressure in the aftermath. Offenders of this kind must feel the full force of the rule of law. I trust in the Berlin police and justice.”
The government head thanked the police and fire department for their “very intense deployment on New Year’s Eve” which enabled a peaceful start to the new year for many people. “The deployment also averted worse, as the arrests of around 400 suspected offenders show.” He wished a speedy recovery to the injured police officers. At the same time, Wegner thanked the Berlin Water Company, which, in collaboration with the fire department, had brought the significant water main break in Wedding under control in record time.