Violence Erupts After Regional League Match: BFC Fan Convicted

A supporter of the Berlin football club BFC Dynamo has been convicted following violent disturbances that occurred after a regional league match against Energie Cottbus. The 21-year-old fan was found guilty by the Tiergarten District Court of serious breaches of the peace and attempted bodily harm for throwing a burning Bengal flare towards police officers.

The incidents took place on May 4, 2024, when the fan was part of a crowd of approximately 200 to 250 people outside the Sportforum Berlin-Hohenschönhausen stadium. Tensions escalated into aggressive confrontations with police, prompting interruptions during the match itself, which ended with a 2-0 victory for Energie Cottbus. Authorities reported that 155 police officers were injured during the unrest.

The defense lawyer argued that the flare was thrown as a spontaneous reaction, suggesting that it had been lying on the ground in the heated atmosphere, leading the defendant to act impulsively. He noted that the situation became chaotic as fans attempted to exit the stadium, exacerbated by police cordons, which generated discontent among the crowd. The defendant was also reported to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time.

The court highlighted the potentially dangerous nature of the flare-throwing incident, expressing relief that no injuries occurred as a result. The conviction fell under the more lenient youth criminal law, and the presiding judge emphasized the importance of a rehabilitative approach. As part of the sentencing, the defendant is required to participate in both a respect course and a first aid training program. The respect course will address issues related to assaults on security personnel and uniformed helpers. The court's decision aligned with the prosecution's recommendations, while the defense did not propose any specific alternatives.