Brandenburg’s Interior Minister Jan Redmann has pledged stronger actions against youth violence in Potsdam, including potential deportations of suspects with Syrian citizenship.

Brandenburg’s Interior Minister Jan Redmann has announced intensified measures to address a series of violent incidents involving youth groups in Potsdam, which are reportedly influenced by migrant backgrounds. The announcement follows multiple attacks in the city, including an incident on September 25 where approximately 20 individuals, predominantly migrants according to Redmann, disrupted a private event and assaulted attendees. Another attack occurred on September 26, leaving three teenagers injured after being targeted by a group of 25 people.

Redmann stated that suspects with Syrian citizenship who have been involved in criminal activities may face deportation, as the Federal Office for Migration has begun revoking the protected status of Syrian nationals flagged by police. He emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law, declaring, ‘The answer is clear: the rule of law is in charge.’ Two primary suspects are currently in custody, and police presence in the area has been significantly increased. Additionally, the city has established a Taskforce on Youth Violence to address the ongoing concerns.

The incidents have sparked political debate in the Brandenburg state parliament. The AfD parliamentary group highlighted the foreign origins of the alleged perpetrators and proposed lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 10 years. However, the majority of the parliament rejected these demands. Dennis Hohloch, the AfD’s Parliamentary Secretary, criticized the government’s migration policies, stating, ‘Potsdam is unsafe, children are being attacked and robbed, and gang crime is now prevalent.’ Redmann has also announced plans for a security meeting to further address the situation.