Within minutes in the early hours of Saturday, two men in Berlin’s James-Simon Park were attacked by unknown assailants. Police are reviewing whether the incidents are connected.
According to authorities, shortly after midnight a 39-year-old man was reportedly targeted because of his sexual identity. Several unknown individuals are said to have surrounded the man near a public toilet and struck his face repeatedly. He sustained facial injuries but refused treatment from emergency responders.
Just a few minutes later, a witness observed a 19-year-old flee from the park toward the Spree in front of a crowd. The group caught up with him, knocked him to the ground, and allegedly beat him, kicked him, and sprayed pepper spray in his face. The witness intervened, causing the alleged attackers to flee. The 19-year-old was taken to a hospital for precautionary examination.
Whether the two incidents involved the same attackers remains unclear at this time. Investigations into the motives and any potential connection between the assaults are ongoing.
Only on Thursday evening a nonbinary person in Berlin-Hakenfelde was insulted and attacked by three unknown individuals.
There are ongoing reports from the capital about anti-LGBTI violence, as the state police actively publicize hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and as a result these cases are comparatively frequently brought into the public sphere. The police and prosecutors in the capital maintain dedicated contacts for queer people.
