World · Europe · 22 hrs ago
Wheelchair-using Berlin shop owner attacked after displaying anti-hate posters
Hans Georg Lindenau, a 67-year-old wheelchair user, says a group of youths attacked him several times at his shop in Berlin-Kreuzberg.
He had put up posters against antisemitism, referring to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Lindenau says the youths used pepper spray and struck him with a blank-firing pistol, and that they later damaged the shop entrance.
He said some attackers asked whether he was Jewish.
The assaults began on October 7 and continued over several days.
Berlin police are investigating suspected serious assault, insults and property damage.
Lindenau says he is afraid, while people have visited his shop to offer support.
A wheelchair-using Berlin shop owner said teenagers attacked him repeatedly after he displayed posters against antisemitism.
Hans Georg “HG” Lindenau, 67, said the group sprayed him with pepper spray and hit him with what he described as a blank-firing pistol.
The attacks took place over several days at his shop in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district.
Police state security investigators are investigating suspected dangerous bodily injury, insult and property damage.
Lindenau said he was afraid, while people came to his shop to offer support.
- Who
- Shop owner Hans Georg “HG” Lindenau, 67, said a group of children and teenagers attacked him.
- What
- He said they repeatedly sprayed him with pepper spray and struck him with a blank-firing pistol; the shop entrance was also damaged.
- When
- The first reported physical attack was on October 7, with further attacks on the following evening and Friday evening.
- Where
- Lindenau’s shop in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district.
- Why
- The attacks reportedly followed his display of posters against antisemitism, referring to Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Klar habe ich Angst.
Sie nannten mich ‚Hurensohn’ und wollten wissen, ob ich Jude bin.
In meinem Laden unterscheide ich nicht nach Herkunft, Religion oder Hautfarbe. Diesen Respekt erwarte ich auch in meinem Laden.
Lindenau said about six teenagers entered his shop, insulted him and sprayed him with pepper spray.
Lindenau said up to six teenagers returned and sprayed him again, then came back later and attacked him as he was closing the shop.
Witnesses saw up to eight teenagers arrive on e-scooters, damage the shop entrance and spray pepper spray.
People visited Lindenau’s shop to ask how they could help him.
- Victim
- Hans Georg “HG” Lindenau, 67
- Shop
- M99 – Gemischtwarenladen mit Revolutionsbedarf
- Location
- Berlin-Kreuzberg
- First reported attack
- October 7
- Investigation
- Police state security unit at the State Criminal Police Office
- Investigation concerns
- Suspected dangerous bodily injury, insult and property damage
Sources
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