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Not to express support for the cops in any way, but for a bit of context: Publicly insulting a person is a crime in Germany. The old guy here did give the cops a great excuse to arrest him.
One of the smallest crimes.
They could have stopped him to ask for his ID, name + address. It does NOT justify their violent treatment.
Even if they decided to take him first, for asking his details later, there was no need = no justification for this immediate violence.
Of course. As I said, I'm not trying to support or defend the methods they used here. I'm just saying that when you're insulting a policeman, at a demonstration or anywhere, you've committed a crime and will be arrested. It's not a smart move. The title here implies that he was arrested for "calling them out" or that it's about the demonstration being Pro-Palestine, but this is the fastest way to get arrested at any demonstration.
Theres a difference between insulting a normal person and insulting a cop (in German this is called "Beamtenbeleidigung). Does this justify the amount of violence? No. Will he get away with it? Yes.
Common misconception. "Beamtenbeleidigung" is not a thing in law, just regular Beleidigung, which can be directed at anyone and is punishable with a fine or theoretically even up to a year in prison. Public interest needs to be determined though, which is more likely to be the case with officials, famous people etc.
Ah OK, thanks for the clarification.
Just for clarity, I can't legally call someone an idiot in Germany?
You cannot. The rough justification for the law being as it is, is that an insult is attacking/damaging their dignity, which every human is entitled to.
Fascinating. Thanks.
To be clear, you will not serve time in a cell for it, you'll at most pay a fine.
Unless you insult a chancellor or the state senator of the interior of Hamburg, then the police will also illegally search your home and wreck it in the process to send a message.
But that's Majestätsbeleidigung, not Beamtenbeleidigunt ;)
Cops are just better in court...
Not true. It is only a legend. No legal difference.
The only difference is a practical one: cops bring it to court more often than normal people.
You should change your propic
Why?
No, not really. Arrest is only allowed under certain circumstances, and acting violently has even higher burdens (in the law at least). The proportions have to be maintained, too. And acting this violently is not proportional to a minor insult.
Indeed, but one of those circumstances is being caught in the act of comitting a crime, as was the case here.
True, the method used could well have been out of proportion. But he shouldn't be surprised to have been arrested, that would have happened at any demonstration if you decide to insult a cop.
Nope, only if the person cannot be identified right away. Nobody tried to ask for his ID.
like this was happening on a quiet street and not in an ongoing situation. I'm always in to complain about the police, but this one? Come on. He overstepped, and got taken in to identify him and possibly sue him for the "Schweine" comment. Sure they use force, but the force to me seems reasonable/in proportion.
You are out of your mind. Walk up to him and ask him to show his ID. If he doesn't, grab his arm and take him with you. If he or the other people resist that, then and only then force can be escalated.
I don't think the situation allowed for that. There was already aggression against the police there (sadly we don't know what the kid did do, to get arrested). The police was already trying to get out of the scene to avoid confronting the people who tried to stop the police from doing so. Getting someones ID is more than just asking/receiving an answer, it's a process that takes several minutes even in quiet situations like when the police is called to a minor traffic accident etc.
Temporary arrest to take his ID (not even time in a cell). Not assault.
In America the cops just shoot them dead, then they get a month’s paid vacation.
Resistance of any sort is also met with lethal force.
It’s great.
/s