Political Tensions Escalate as Left Party Accuses Police of Excessive Force
The Left Party has condemned the police for allegedly using excessive force against one of its state parliament members, Nam Duy Nguyen, and a companion during a protest against the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s conference. According to the party, the two were beaten by police despite clearly identifying themselves as parliamentary observers.
Left Party Leader Jan van Aken expressed outrage over the incident, stating that the party will file a complaint against the responsible officers. “We are appalled by the attack on our parliamentarian, Nam Duy Nguyen, and his companion” van Aken said. “They were clearly identifiable as parliamentary observers, and they were de-escalating the situation. Nevertheless, police officers punched them in the face. We will not tolerate such behavior.”
Left Party Co-Leader Ines Schwerdtner called on all political parties in Saxony and nationwide to condemn the incident without reservation. “We demand that the value of parliamentary observation, essential for democracy and the rule of law, be defended” she said. “Police violence erodes public trust and must be fundamentally rejected.”
According to the Left Party, Nguyen was knocked unconscious by a police officer, and his companion sustained facial injuries. The parliamentarian and his team were standing at the edge of a police operation, clearly marked as parliamentary observers with their vests. Despite Nguyen’s repeated warnings to the approaching police that he was a state parliament member and parliamentary observer, he and his companion were still beaten.