42-Year-Oldโค in Custody: New Details Emerge Following Bailiff‘s Killing
A 42-year-old man is in custodyโ following the death of a 58-year-old bailiff on Tuesday morning in Saarland, Germany. The incidentโ occurred instantly after the bailiff entered the โขman’s apartmentโ to carry out an evictionโ due to foreclosure. Three representatives from the property management company were present butโค remained outside the apartment during the event.
The suspect, a resident โขof the Saarpfalz district, was apprehended in Oberbexbach โshortly after the crime adn has confessed to the act.โข He currently has noโ prior criminal record but is under inquiry for a separate โขrobbery. Authorities also report โคa past incident whereโค the suspect allegedly threatened โขa neighbor in the apartment building, and he was previously found in possession of 5 grams of amphetamine.Toxicologyโค reports โare โฃpending to determine if โdrugs โwere a factor at the time of the incident. Investigators have found no indication of a political motive.
Saarland Justice Minister Petra Berg identified the victim as an experienced bailiff, a husband, and a father. In โคresponse to the tragedy, the state government ordered flags toโ be flown at half-mast onโ Wednesday and will soonโค establish a book of condolence at the Stateโฃ Chancellery.Minister Berg stated she will โคprioritize a review of bailiff security protocols in the comingโค days.
The German Bailiffs Association is advocating for enhancedโฃ securityโ measures for field employees,including improved training,access to better โprotective equipment like stab and bulletproof vests,and increasedโฃ protection of bailiffs’ personal addresses. Currently, bailiffs typically operate in civilian โคclothing to maintain the anonymity of debtors and avoid stigmatization.
In Saarland, the state association of bailiffs is already engaged in discussions with the Ministryโ of Justice regarding security enhancements, such โasโฃ the authorization of pepper spray. Protective โvests are currently available to bailiffs upon request, with a personal financial contribution required. Thereโ are 47 active bailiffs in the โฃstate. The โขvictim was not wearing a stab-proof vest at the time of the incident and had opted notโข to request police escort, โa decision left to the discretion of each bailiff, according to Minister Berg.
The Verdi union has expressed concern over aโค growing trend of violence against employeesโ within the judicial system, prisons, and other public authorities. Christian Runde, Verdi managingโค directorโ in the Saar-Trierโค region, reported a important increase in incidents and voiced the anxieties of โขunion โmembers regarding escalating violence.
Source: ntv.de, fzรถ/dpa
