Crime and nationality: German police will reveal suspects' origins
Current police transparency regulations state that the nationality of suspects, particularly those belonging to a
"minority" group, can be revealed only if it is essential in understanding the motives or has a direct link to the crime.
Police officers' reluctance to reveal suspects' nationalities has often landed them in hot water amid rising tensions in Germany in the wake of a massive influx of migrants and refugees. Police have been accused of covering up the countries of origin of foreign suspects to downplay the negative effects of Chancellor Angela Merkel's 'open doors' policy at the height of the 2015 refugee crisis.
Law enforcement officials particularly faced a wave of public outrage in the wake of reports of mass sexual assaults on New Year's Eve in 2015 in Cologne – North Rhine-Westphalia' largest city. The initial police report on New Year's Eve in Cologne failed to mention that many of the suspects were of North African origin, which later drew accusations of a deliberate cover-up.
The latest move is not just a
"push for transparency," as it is also aimed at combating speculation involving any future high-profile cases in society, which still remains polarized over the issue of migrant crime.
Police in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia will name all suspects' nationality as a way to counter "clumsy deception." The move comes after allegations of police and media covering up criminals' origins.
www.rt.com
Police in North Rhine-Westphalia will now name every crime suspect's nationality — and not just in crimes where it's considered relevant. It's a sensitive topic against the background of recent immigration to Germany.
www.dw.com
The nationalities of all criminal suspects will now be revealed by police in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Die Welt reports.
voiceofeurope.com
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