By Karin Hendrich
It’s been a long, long time. And the case is still occupying the Berlin judiciary: almost six years ago, after Union’s second division defeat against Aue (0:1) at the Karlshorst S-Bahn station, three football fans got into a physical argument with the Afghan asylum seeker Jamil A. (26) come.
First verbally. There were racist statements. When the victim raised a beer bottle to defend himself, he was pushed and punched to the ground.
Policeman Stefan K. (42, then off duty) is said to have “mixed in”. All three attackers were heavily intoxicated.
The judgments of the district court for joint dangerous bodily harm were made in May 2022: six months probation for painter Philipp G. (29), 7,200 euros for bricklayer Dennis Y. (27). And 9600 euros fine for the police officer plus 800 euros compensation to the victim.
While the first two judgments became final, Stefan K. appealed. His goal: acquittal. He didn’t want to comment “at first”.
“Don’t know”, “No memory”
The two co-defendants at the time were unable to provide much information about what happened. Philipp G.: “It started with a war of words on the stairs. It was about our volume.” Also about racist statements? “No memory.” Who started the fisticuffs? “I do not know.”
At least he confirmed punches. After the victim threw a bottle in their direction. He and his cousin Dennis would have brought the man down. And Stefan K., who was completely unknown to you up to that point? “Then he got involved.” What exactly did he do? “No idea.”
Dennis Y. had even less memories. The judge’s statement (“I don’t believe you have dementia.”) didn’t help him either. “We drank a lot of beer back then.” And the time that has passed since then has done the rest.
A student (25): “I had a nice chat with the accused in the station hall. When three men came down the stairs screaming loudly.” Something like: “Piss off from Germany” could have been said. Then there were fisticuffs down below.
She tried to settle herself. The defendant too. “Then he pushed the man backwards out of the hall against a barrier. That he fell onto the street.” In a first timely interrogation, she spoke of a beer bottle in the victim’s hand.
Jamil A., although a joint plaintiff, was unable to testify in court today: rejected as an asylum seeker, he is living in his home country again. A visa for the process was refused. His lawyer has now requested an audiovisual hearing. Continued: Thursday (February 23)