Man dies during police arrest in Berlin

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) – A man died during a police arrest after rioting in the backyard of a building in Berlin, police announced Sunday.

The 30-year-old man is said to have shouted and destroyed bicycles in the courtyard of an apartment building in Berlin’s Charlottenburg district late Friday evening, according to a police statement.

The police report said he lashed out and spat in the direction of the emergency services. When the officers who had been alerted tried to arrest him, he fell to the ground.

The man collapsed during the arrest and was diagnosed with a heart attack in the hospital, the police said, adding that the man died on Saturday morning.

A murder commission from the State Criminal Police Office is investigating – as is usual in such cases – whether there is a connection between the arrest and the death. According to police, previous illnesses are also not ruled out in this case.

In recent years, German police have been repeatedly criticized for using excessive force while apprehending suspects, which often results in serious injuries.