Berlin Police Officers Convicted of Coercion and False Imprisonment
Berlin, Germany: Two Berlin police officers have been sentenced to nine months of probation for their roles in an unlawful traffic stop that resulted in false imprisonment and coercion, according to a ruling by the Berlin Regional Court.
Charges and Allegations
The officers, aged 49 and 45, were accused of forcing a 63-year-old motorist to stop on the Berlin city motorway in July 2023 by using blue lights and a police stop sign. The prosecution alleged that they then handcuffed the man, searched his car, and stole a backpack containing €55,000-60,000.
Court Findings
The court found that the officers had indeed pulled over the motorist using blue lights. However, the court dismissed the robbery charge, stating that there was insufficient evidence to prove that money had been taken from the driver and into the possession of the officers.
The court also criticized the officers for failing to properly justify the traffic stop. Despite the officers’ claims that the motorist was driving suspiciously slowly, the court found no evidence to support this assertion. Furthermore, the officers did not conduct a routine vehicle registration check, which would have been standard procedure for a traffic stop.
Victim’s Account
The motorist claimed that he spent approximately 30 minutes in the police car after being stopped. "It was an unusually long time for a traffic stop where nothing was found wrong," the judge remarked.
Defense Arguments
The defense attorneys argued for acquittal, claiming that the entire incident was a fabrication. They argued that the motorist had made false accusations due to previous issues with the law.
Sentencing
Despite the lack of a robbery conviction, the court found the officers guilty of aggravated coercion and false imprisonment. The judge stated that the officers had "failed to take any actions that could have justified the incident in any way."
The officers were sentenced to nine months of probation. The verdict is not yet legally binding and can be appealed.
Ongoing Questions
The court acknowledged that there were many unanswered questions regarding the incident, particularly the reason for the initial traffic stop. "We have left no stone unturned during the 20 days of hearings, but many questions remain unanswered," said presiding judge Michael Mattern.
The case has raised concerns about police misconduct and the need for thorough investigations into such incidents. The Berlin Police Department has stated that it will cooperate fully with any further investigations.
