Berlin Police Investigate Officer After Activist Injured at Pro-Palestinian Rally
Berlin police have launched an internal criminal examination following the release of video footage appearing to show an officer striking an Irish activist during a pro-Palestinian demonstration. The incident, which occurred Thursday in Berlin’s mitte district, has drawn concern from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and sparked protests in Dublin.
The footage, widely circulated on social media, depicts Kitty O’Brien, an activist who uses non-binary pronouns, being punched in the face twice by a male police officer and later dragged away from the rally, sustaining visible facial injuries.
Prior to the physical altercation, a longer video shows O’Brien verbally confronting officers, using insults including accusations of supporting “genocide” and comparing their actions to those of “Nazis.” It remains unclear from the available footage whether the officer’s strikes were intentionally aimed at O’Brien’s face.
According to a Berlin police spokesperson, the officer involved has been identified and the investigation will focus on determining whether their actions were proportionate to the situation. The investigation is being conducted on suspicion of bodily harm on duty.
O’Brien received medical treatment from the Berlin fire brigade for unspecified injuries. Police have confirmed that O’Brien is also under investigation for insulting and resisting law enforcement officers. It is indeed currently unknown if O’Brien has filed a formal complaint against the officer.
The Irish Department of foreign Affairs stated that senior officials, including ambassador to Germany Maeve Collins, have expressed “concern” to german authorities regarding the incident.
Zoë Lawlor, chairwoman of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity campaign, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating the video footage necessitates government action. She described the incident as “two very violent assaults” and criticized the German police’s handling of Palestine activism. A fundraising campaign has been initiated to support O’brien, who remains hospitalized and is expected to be unable to work for a period of time.
Protests were held outside the German embassy in Dublin on Saturday. Catherine Stocker, a Social Democrats councillor and O’Brien’s aunt, reported that O’Brien’s injuries include a broken arm and nerve damage.
While The Tagesspiegel newspaper reported a broken arm, this facts has not been independently verified.
