Pepper spray use in Markgröningen: 17 injured and many questions

Pepper spray use in Markgröningen: 17 injured and many questions

There was an incident in Markgröningen today in which 17 people were injured by pepper spray. The exact reasons why a man sprayed the irritant gas are still unclear. The rescue service was on site with numerous helpers to care for those affected. The fire department was also called in with strong forces. The police have now started investigations and are looking for witnesses and other victims. Those affected can contact the Vaihingen police station on (07042) 941 1200 or by email at vaihingen-enz.prev@polizei.bwl.de to report their situation.

The use of pepper spray is not new and is often used by police as a non-lethal tool against violent criminals. However, there is a worrying trend that the use of the irritant gas is increasingly taking place in political demonstrations and actions. For example, over 1,000 people were injured in the CastorSchottern campaign, with the Federal Police using almost 2,200 cartridges of pepper spray in this context alone. Critics such as Ulla Jelpke, a member of the Bundestag from the Left, express concern about this mass use and are calling for a ban on pepper spray.

Critical voices on the use of pepper spray

The health risks of pepper spray have not been sufficiently researched, which is repeatedly brought up in the discussion about the legitimacy of its use. There are reports of possible deaths from pepper spray, particularly among asthmatics or those under the influence of drugs. A report by the American Civil Liberties Union documented 26 deaths in California between 1993 and 1995 in connection with the use of pepper spray.

In addition, political voices criticize the fact that the use of pepper spray against demonstrators is viewed as disproportionate and unjustified. Karin Binder from the Left Party is calling for a ban on the irritant gas, supported by a report that concludes that its use by the police should no longer be tolerated in Germany. Björn Schering's report highlights that enormous amounts of pepper spray are already being sprayed during operations - in Wendland, for example, up to 217 liters in just ten hours, which could potentially put 16,000 people out of action.

The incidents in Markgröningen are another example in the ongoing debate about the use of pepper spray and the associated risks. The police now face the challenge of not only clarifying the circumstances of today's incident, but also maintaining the public's trust in the handling of such operations.

For further information and possible leads on the current investigation, witnesses can contact the Vaihingen police station.