Three EU citizens and an American are facing expulsion from Germany after participating in pro-Palestinian protests in Berlin which turned violent.
The Berlin State Office for Immigration (LEA) issued deportation orders against them in March “in connection with the incidents at the Free University of Berlin (FU) on October 17, 2024,” Berlin’s state government stated in response to a dpa inquiry.
The individuals, two Irish nationals, a Polish citizen, and an American, are challenging the decision in the Berlin courts.
They have filed lawsuits and are seeking an interim ruling to suspend the orders. According to a court spokesman, it is unclear when judges will decide.
“As long as there is no decision on the urgent application, they are not required to leave,” the spokesman explained.
The Berlin state government justified its decision by referring to events last October. Masked individuals broke into a university building, threatening staff with axes, saws, crowbars, and batons.
The university estimated the damage at over €100,000 ($108.600).
A “violent and masked group” caused “significant property damage,” including “graffiti related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” as well as other criminal acts, according to the state government.
Criminal investigations are ongoing.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner defended the possible deportation of the individuals, calling it “right and necessary” in comments to the newspaper Welt.
But German lawmaker Clara Bünger of the Left party criticized the approach.
“Under Kai Wegner’s leadership, the state of Berlin is attacking freedom of assembly and expression,” she said.
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