In the case of the youth who was shot by the police, the Dortmund public prosecutor sees no evidence that the 16-year-old had previously posed a threat to the officers with his knife. “We have not been able to identify any self-defence or emergency aid situation on the part of the police officers,” said senior public prosecutor Carsten Dombert.
Even the use of tear gas and tasers was therefore disproportionate. Not the mildest means had been used. The use is therefore illegal, said Dombert. The shooter therefore made the decision himself to use the weapon. So he should not have shot on instruction.
It was announced on Tuesday that the public prosecutor’s office had charged five police officers involved in the August 2022 operation. As Dombert announced on Wednesday, the accused have still not commented on the allegations. The most serious charge is against the 29-year-old officer who shot the youth with a submachine gun. He is accused of manslaughter. The teenager died in hospital.
Two policewomen (28 and 31) and a policeman (32) are accused of causing dangerous bodily harm in office because of the use of tear gas or tasers. Charges were brought against the 54-year-old service group leader for inciting physical harm in office. According to Dombert, he is accused of having specified the police procedure for the August 8 operation, in particular the use of the tear gas.
