Snack bar opening with kebab for one euro escalated - police officers were thrown bottles and chairs

There were massive riots at the opening of a kebab snack bar in the Ruhr area at the weekend. Dortmund police chief Tim Frommeyer condemned the violence against police officers. “Anyone who commits violence, here again against police forces, is not an ‘experience-oriented young person’ or a ‘chaot’, but rather a criminal,” it said in a statement.

On Sunday afternoon, around 300 people, including many minors, wanted to get their hands on a kebab at a bargain price. The operator had previously advertised a special opening offer online, the police said. Despite a dedicated security service, the situation in front of the shop in the east city center got out of control, so the shop owner called the police. “Despite the security service hired by the operator in advance, there were some expressions of discontent and arguments within the groups of people waiting,” said the police.

With hundreds and helicopters in action

When the emergency services arrived, they were pelted with bottles, stones, pyrotechnics, an e-scooter and a chair. A police car was also damaged by stones. The officers then gathered additional forces, and a hundred riot police were also deployed. "The officers used a loudspeaker announcement to ask the group of people to leave the location. Violence then ensued against the officers," explains the police.

A helicopter observed the situation from the air. “Events, or as recently as meetings, have been taken over for some time by people who are intent on nothing other than violence,” said Dortmund Police Chief Frommeyer.

A blank gun was found during a search of a person who had resisted orders to leave the area. Several criminal proceedings were initiated - including for breach of the peace, damage to property and insults. The responsibility of the snack bar operator for the police operation is currently being examined.

The operator of the kebab shop has now published a short statement. “There were over 1,000 people on site and unfortunately some of them couldn’t behave at all,” it said. The operator also apologizes to everyone “who waited a long time today”. He is once again criticized for this on Instagram. "What did you expect? The pictures are always the same when things are offered for one euro at new openings. Thanks to the police - you are worth every euro!" and “Maybe we should first apologize to the residents” are just two comments.