Berlin, May 8 – FDP politician Helmut Metzner and his partner were victims of a homophobic attack in Berlin-Charlottenburg, suffering injuries after being verbally abused with homophobic slurs and physically assaulted. The incident occurred on Thursday evening, and the perpetrator managed to escape. State security has since taken over the investigation.
Details of the Attack Emerge
According to police reports, the two men, aged 57 and 61, were subjected to hate speech and homophobic insults in Schustehruspark. An unknown assailant, accompanied by a dog, allegedly pushed one of the victims to the ground. When the other victim attempted to photograph the attacker, he too was pushed down, kicked, and beaten. Both men sustained injuries but initially declined medical treatment, police stated.
Metzner, who serves as the executive board member of the Magnus Hirschfeld Federal Foundation-an organization dedicated to combating discrimination against queer individuals in Germany-shared details of the attack on Facebook. He revealed that he and his partner were verbally assaulted with the derogatory term “faggots” shortly after 7:00 PM on Thursday evening while walking home. The physical assault began after Metzner announced his intention to call the police.
Perpetrator Escapes, Threats Issued
Metzner also reported that the attacker threatened his partner, stating, “If I meet you alone, I will kill you.” The assailant then fled in the direction of Schlossstraße. Photos of the suspect were reportedly forwarded to the police to aid in the investigation.
The FDP politician conveyed the lasting impact of the incident, writing on Facebook, “The act is still in our bones.” The “Tagesspiegel” was the first to report on the incident.
State Security Investigates
Given the nature of the attack, state security has taken charge of the investigation. This specialized unit typically handles cases involving politically motivated crimes and hate crimes, underscoring the serious view authorities are taking of the incident.
The attack highlights ongoing concerns about homophobia and discrimination within society, even in major European cities like Berlin, which is generally considered progressive. Organizations like the Magnus Hirschfeld Federal Foundation continue to work tirelessly to promote acceptance and combat prejudice against LGBTQ+ individuals.
The police have urged anyone with information regarding the incident or the perpetrator to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation.
