Berlin police are maintaining a significant presence around funeral events connected to a burial within a known criminal network. Numerous officers were stationed at the Sehitlik Mosque in the Neukölln district this morning as attendees arrived for prayers. Large floral arrangements, often displaying the names of senders, were presented at the mosque, and a coffin was brought inside.
Authorities anticipate a large number of “police-known individuals” will attend the burial at a cemetery in Berlin-Westend, with previous similar events drawing over a thousand attendees.
According to a statement on the platform X, the police will deploy several hundred officers throughout Neukölln and Westend. “Our goal, in coordination with all parties involved, is to enable a dignified and undisturbed commemoration,” the statement read.
House Targeted in Shooting
The 62-year-old man, who died Tuesday from an illness, arrived in Berlin from Turkey years ago and described himself as a businessman. Police identified him as a “police-known figure within the criminal milieu.” The GdP stated the deceased was a prominent figure in organized crime who maintained influence until his death.
In mid-December, police responded to a shooting at his home in the Lichterfelde district, where unknown assailants fired 20 shots at the property. Investigations into the attempted manslaughter are ongoing.
To maintain public order during the funeral, police have deployed hundreds of officers, including plainclothes detectives from the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) with specific knowledge of the local scene. Police state they are in constant contact with the family to ensure a peaceful and respectful event, and have prohibited an autocade from the mosque to the cemetery.
“A Showcase of Organized Crime”
The GdP anticipates the presence of both friends and rivals of the deceased, as has been the case at similar funerals in past years. “A showcase of the organized crime in this city,” stated GdP spokesperson Benjamin Jendro.
The term “clan crime” is a subject of debate, with critics arguing it stigmatizes and discriminates against people with migration backgrounds based solely on family ties and origin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the large police presence?
The large police presence is due to the burial of a 62-year-old man identified by police as a prominent figure in organized crime, and the expectation of a large gathering of individuals known to law enforcement.
Where are the police primarily deployed?
Police are deployed throughout the Neukölln and Westend districts, specifically around the Sehitlik Mosque and the cemetery where the burial is taking place.
What steps are being taken to ensure a peaceful event?
Police are in contact with the family to ensure a respectful event, have deployed both uniformed and plainclothes officers, and have prohibited an autocade from the mosque to the cemetery.
Given the sensitive nature of this event and the potential for unrest, what measures do you believe are most important for ensuring both public safety and respectful mourning?
