Police raid | Outrage after repression against Kurdish association in Bremen
A large-scale police operation at the premises of the registered Kurdish association Birati in Bremen on Saturday sparked protests and criticism. The raid on the cultural center, which according to those affected began at 3 p.m., was described by representatives of the association as "characterized by unnecessary force and aggressive behavior."
According to the association's co-chair, Ruken Akça, the police threatened to force open doors, even though those responsible had signaled a willingness to engage in dialogue. Around 35 people were detained and had to endure hours of detention without legal representation.
As the magazine "Buten un binnen" reports, the operation was carried out under the leadership of the Lower Saxony State Office of Criminal Investigation. The reason given was "suspicion of a violation of the Association Act." The Kurdish news agency ANF reports that a court order was issued at the request of the state capital of Hanover. The purpose of the measure was to establish identity and conduct a search. According to the police, various documents, digital evidence, and a vehicle were confiscated.
In raids for possible violations of the association law, authorities usually pursue the suspicion that an association either supports banned organizations such as the PKK, acts as its "substitute organization," or violates legal provisions by displaying prohibited symbols and propaganda. These measures can also serve as a precursor to a ban on an association or fuel investigations into membership in a designated criminal or terrorist organization—in the Kurdish context, this also involves the PKK.
The search also sparked protests on Saturday. According to Bremen police, up to 165 people gathered in front of the club's building. "Police-critical speeches" were made using a megaphone. One protester allegedly spat at police officers, which is why he is being investigated.
The umbrella organization KON-MED (Confederation of Kurdistan Communities in Germany) sees the raid as a contradiction to the official German stance. The Federal Republic of Germany recently advocated for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question. KON-MED therefore demands a public statement from the Lower Saxony state government regarding the incidents and the lifting of the PKK ban. This would likely also end the political repression against Kurdish associations and their members.
According to ANF, the Birati Association, also known as the Democratic Kurdish Community Center, is frequently the target of repression. Its premises were searched in November and January of last year. In February 2024, bullets bearing a swastika were reportedly thrown into the association's mailbox.
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