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Justice for Lorenz: Charges against police officers cause protests!
On April 20, 2025, 21-year-old Lorenz A. was shot during a police operation in Oldenburg; an involuntary manslaughter charge and protests are planned.
Justice for Lorenz: Charges against police officers cause protests!
The tragic case of Lorenz A. has been discussed in Oldenburg for several weeks. On April 20, 2025, the 21-year-old was shot during a police operation, causing outrage and sadness in the city. The public prosecutor's office has now brought charges against a 27-year-old police officer for negligent homicide, while questions remain as to when a trial will actually take place. As NDR reports, the public prosecutor's office assumes that no intent can be proven, which leads to strong criticism from the family and the “Justice for Lorenz” initiative.
The initiative is planning a demonstration on the town hall market for Saturday at 4 p.m. to protest against police violence and institutional cover-up. Back in May, on Lorenz A.'s birthday, around 10,000 people gathered to express their outrage. The charges are considered inadequate by the parents' lawyers, who are calling for a manslaughter prosecution. The initiative emphasizes that Lorenz's death was not a tragic accident, but a serious injustice.
Reactions from politics and society
Oldenburg's police chief and Lower Saxony's interior minister Daniela Behrens, however, see the charges as evidence of a functioning legal system. Behrens emphasizes that an accusation should not be equated with a guilty verdict and that the presumption of innocence must always be observed. While the investigation is before the Oldenburg regional court, it remains unclear when a decision will be made about admitting the charges. There is no set deadline for this, so uncertainty continues. The parents' lawyer plans to collect certain evidence in the interim proceedings in order to move the matter forward.
At a time when public interest in ensuring law and order is high, divided opinions about how to deal with the police and demonstrations are once again evident. As described in [bpb]. It is often difficult to distinguish between peaceful and violent protesters.
The discussion about the appropriate police response and the right to freedom of assembly is more relevant than ever. For many, the Lorenz A. case not only raises questions about the perception of police violence, but also confronts society with the deeper problems in the relationship between citizens and the state.
In addition to the central demand for justice for Lorenz A., the upcoming demonstration will also provide a space to have broader discussions about social responsibility and violence on the streets.