Moroccan Man’s Death in German Police Operation Sparks Outcry and Diplomatic Response

"I am deeply sorry for this unfortunate incident that caused the death of an individual last Thursday in a police operation in Bremen. I am in constant contact with the Moroccan ambassador to Berlin, Zhor El Alaoui," said Ambassador Götz Schmidt Bremem, who said he is confident in justice.

"The public prosecutor in charge of the investigation is a reliable person who will be able to determine the exact circumstances of the death. I am convinced that the incident will have no impact on the peaceful coexistence of Moroccans in Germany," he stressed.

To recall, a 54-year-old Moroccan died last Thursday from gunshot wounds fired by a female police officer. The man was the subject of an eviction procedure from an apartment in the Bremen-Gröpelingen district.

The video of the scene shows the altercation that took place between the Moroccan national, armed with a knife, and four police officers, two of whom were in plain clothes. Provoked by a pepper spray attack, the man rushed at the officers before being shot dead by two gunshots.

The justice system has been seized and the Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation for "negligent homicide". On social networks, the police operation is controversial and raises a debate on the attitude of the police.