Trial at Berlin District Court: Near-Fatal Dispute Over Music Leads to Legal Battle

A 30-year-old man is facing charges of attempted manslaughter at the Berlin District Court, following an incident that resulted in a life-threatening injury during a dispute over music choices at a local venue. The altercation, which occurred on November 30, 2024, in Reinickendorf, escalated when the victim, a 24-year-old man attempting to mediate, suffered a stab wound to the groin area.

The prosecution alleges that the defendant, originally from Tunisia, inflicted the injury with a sharp object during the heated confrontation. The victim narrowly survived the attack, which severed his femoral artery, leading to significant blood loss and a critical condition requiring resuscitation efforts lasting 50 minutes.

During the initial court proceedings, the accused admitted to delivering the stab but claimed it was in self-defense. He stated that he was attacked by a group of individuals outside the establishment and, while on the ground, reacted instinctively to a threat. His defense emphasized that he felt compelled to protect himself amidst an overwhelming situation.

According to police reports, the conflict began when the defendant monopolized the remote control for the venue's sound system, repeatedly playing Arabic music, which displeased other patrons. The situation escalated when the remote control was damaged, prompting the dispute to spill outside. The 24-year-old intervened in an attempt to defuse the situation.

The victim, who is now a co-plaintiff in the case, has been left reliant on a wheelchair due to the severity of his injuries, as stated by his legal representative. The trial is set to continue with four additional hearings scheduled until June 3, 2025.