Attack on St. Pauli fans: 52 Halle supporters under investigation

52 Fans of Hallescher FC attacked a coach with FC St. Pauli supporters in October. The extent of the attack only became known through a parliamentary enquiry.

Police are investigating 52 fans of the third division soccer team Hallescher FC for attacking FC St. Pauli supporters. The “Mitteldeutsche Zeitung” reported this, citing a minor question from the Left Party member of the state parliament, Henriette Quade. The Ministry of the Interior of Saxony-Anhalt confirmed that the incident is being investigated on charges of breach of the peace and robbery. The perpetrators are between 14 and 41 years old. 14 of the accused are already known to the police in the “Violent Sports Offenders” file.

The incident occurred on the night of October 1 at a gas station in Dessau. The local police had not yet commented in detail on the incident. “I cannot understand why the police have not issued a press release in this case and are not classifying the attack as a politically motivated crime,” said Quade. According to the politician, those affected had reported a right-wing motivation on the part of the perpetrators.

At the time, FC St. Pauli made a public statement about the incident. “At a highway rest stop in Saxony-Anhalt, unknown individuals wearing red and white balaclavas apparently coordinated their attack on the tour bus. At least three people were injured,” the club announced. A week after the incident, HFC fans boasted about the attack in a flyer distributed at a home game.

After the attack, the bus of the HFC supporters was checked by the police. According to the Ministry, possible means of committing the crime and possible stolen goods were seized. “Fan paraphernalia was noticed during the search. These paraphernalia were assigned to Hallescher FC,” said the Ministry of the Interior.

The club informed the MZ that the offense was known, but not the perpetrators. “Until this is complete and further information is available, we cannot make any further statements about the background or the people involved,” said a spokeswoman.