52 Halle FC fans attack a coach carrying FC St. Pauli supporters in October. The extent of the attack only became known after a political inquiry.

The police are investigating 52 fans of third-division soccer club Hallescher FC for an attack on FC St. Pauli supporters. This was reported by the “Mitteldeutsche Zeitung” newspaper, citing a minor question from Left Party member of the state parliament Henriette Quade. The Saxony-Anhalt Ministry of the Interior confirmed that investigations were underway into breach of the peace and robbery. The perpetrators are between 14 and 41 years old. 14 of the suspects are already known to the police in the “violent sports offenders” register.

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

At the time, FC St. Pauli had made the crime public in a statement. “At a freeway service area in Saxony-Anhalt, unknown persons wearing red and white balaclavas apparently attacked their coach in a coordinated manner. At least three people were injured,” the club announced. HFC fans bragged about the attack in a flyer distributed at a home game just over a week after the attack.

After the attack, the HFC supporters’ bus was checked by the police. According to the ministry, possible evidence and stolen goods were seized. “Fan paraphernalia was discovered during the search. This paraphernalia was attributed to Hallescher FC,” said the Ministry of the Interior.

The club told MZ that the crime was known, but the perpetrators were not. “Until these have been completed and further information is available, we cannot make any further statements about the background or the people involved,” said a spokesperson.