AI is concerned that officers of a special police unit (E-Schicht) based at police station 16 in Hamburg have used unnecessary force when arresting detainees and in some cases have subjected them to serious ill-treatment. 32 complaints of ill-treatment were made about E-Schicht officers at police station 16 from 1989 to 1993. In at least two of the cases the victims were subsequently awarded compensation. However, in none of the 32 cases have any of the officers involved been charged or disciplined as a result of their behaviour. The cases of Lutz Priebe and Frank Fennel are highlighted in this report.
