Violent scenes! The argument in front of the apartment building escalated and landlord Zaur S. pulled out a knife Photo: Spreepicture
By Danilo Gladow
Intimidation, threats and violence – in Neukölln the tenants of Karl-Marx-Straße 40 are helplessly exposed to the disgusting behavior of their landlord Zaur S. The district now wants to help them.
On the evening of September 27th around 10:30 p.m. the situation between tenants and landlord escalated when Besir (25)’s doorbell suddenly rang. Landlord Zaur S. is said to have called over the intercom: “Come down!” He is said to have called several times beforehand.
Once downstairs, Besir is said to have been greeted by eight men with baseball bats, knives and guns. One of the men was the landlord, who also had a knife with him. He is said to have threatened: “You leave the apartment or we will kill you!”
Tenant Besir (25) was injured in the thumb in the attack Photo: Olaf Selchow
Other tenants observed the threatening scene and intervened. A war of words between the landlord and tenants was followed by a violent scuffle in which resident Besir was injured. A tenant used pepper spray against the threatening group. When the police arrived with a large contingent, the armed men were able to escape, but landlord S. was temporarily arrested.
Now the district speaks out: “The district office is aware of the allegations against the landlord,” it said in response to a BZ query. The tenants would first be entitled to advice from the independent tenant advisory service, which is carried out on behalf of the district office. Statements about possible dubious rental agreements cannot be made at this time. Every rental agreement is checked.
Can Zaur S. continue to rent out apartments without hindrance using such methods? “The district office is currently examining what legal options exist if landlords use violence and intimidation to put pressure on tenants.”