Rioting in Dresden: police set up investigation team

After the violent excesses at the second division match between Dynamo Dresden and Hertha BSC, a police investigation team is to clarify what happened. It bears the name "Fahne" (flag), currently consists of 14 officers and is supported by the Berlin police, the Dresden police department announced. The task is to shed light on the events of the riots and to hold the suspects accountable for their actions, explained Dresden's police chief Lutz Rodig (62).

Dresden police rely on super-recognizers

The police have now initiated 19 investigations. The focus is on serious breach of the peace, assault, damage to property and insults. "We will consistently press ahead with the investigations. We are also counting on our colleagues from Berlin to identify the perpetrators from the Hertha BSC environment. With regard to the perpetrators of violence in Dresden, we are relying on the skills of our super-recognizers, among others," says Rodig. These experts are good at recognizing faces.

Extensive video footage seized

In the meantime, the "Fahne" investigation team has seized extensive video footage. "We have more than 330 gigabytes of material. Criminologists are already analyzing it." The police are looking for witnesses. A tip-off portal has been set up for this purpose at sn.hinweisportal.de.

During the Bundesliga 2 match in Dresden, pyrotechnics were repeatedly set off in both fan camps. Supporters of both teams climbed over barrier fences and attacked each other inside the stadium with fireworks, among other things. Police officers then intervened, separated the camps and secured the pitch.