Berlin police have launched an internal investigation after video footage emerged of an Irish activist being punched in the face twice by an officer during a pro-Palestinian demonstration, prompting concern from Ireland’s foreign office.
The activist, Kitty O’Brien, was seen in footage posted on social media being struck by a male officer before being dragged away, bloodied, from Thursday’s rally in the Mitte district of the German capital. Local newspaper Der Tagesspiegel reported that O’Brien’s arm was also broken, though this has not been independently verified.
Longer video clips showed O’Brien, who uses non-binary pronouns, shouting at officers, calling them “genocide supporters” and “Nazis”. One officer then appeared to hit them in the face twice. It is unclear whether the officer intended to target their face.
A police spokesperson confirmed the officer involved had been identified and said: “We are reviewing whether the officer acted proportionately, and we’re doing it as part of a criminal investigation on suspicion of bodily harm on duty.”
Police said O’Brien was treated by the Berlin fire brigade and is also under investigation for insulting and resisting law enforcement officers. It is not clear whether O’Brien has lodged a formal complaint.
Ireland’s ambassador to Germany, Maeve Collins, and senior foreign office officials have raised the matter with German authorities. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said Dublin had expressed “concern” about the incident.
Zoë Lawlor, chair of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, called the video evidence “shocking” and said the Irish government was obliged to respond. “It was two very violent assaults,” she said. “The German police are just horrendous when it comes to Palestine activism.” A fundraiser has been launched to support O’Brien, who remains in hospital.
Catherine Stocker, a councillor with the Social Democrats in Dublin and O’Brien’s aunt, said her relative had sustained a broken arm and nerve damage. She accused German authorities of treating pro-Palestinian activism as “effectively illegal” in Berlin.
Authorities said the protest was dispersed because there was no identifiable organiser. They reported “insults, physical attacks and acts of resistance” against officers during the operation, with 94 people temporarily detained and 96 criminal investigations opened for offences including insulting behaviour, resisting arrest, bodily harm and the use of banned symbols.
Clashes between police and pro-Palestinian demonstrators have become frequent in Berlin. While authorities accuse activists of creating an aggressive atmosphere, participants and rights groups have repeatedly alleged excessive and unprovoked police violence.
