Pub attacked: Ultras from Werder Bremen are on trial

Because of a particularly serious case of breach of the peace, a trial against four men between the ages of 26 and 29 began in Bremen on Thursday. The defendants at the Bremen Regional Court are suspected ultras from Werder Bremen. At the beginning of the trial, the defendants declined to comment. The presiding judge announced that she would seek a conversation about an agreement. The hearing is scheduled to continue next Thursday.

The alleged crime was some time ago. In December 2017, the men in Bremen are said to have participated in an attack on another group after a Bundesliga game between Werder Bremen and FSV Mainz 05. Prosecutors did not elaborate on the other group. The police assigned them to the hooligan scene in a 2018 press release.

Bremen Ultras fight in the pub

According to the indictment, the four accused were in a group of Bremen Ultras, which consisted of around 120 members. During a fan march through a nightlife district in Bremen, the members of the fan march are said to have grabbed garbage cans, signs and chairs and thrown them at a pub. That’s where the other group stayed. According to the public prosecutor, the people in the bar were mistaken for hooligans and Nazis by the Bremen Ultras.

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After the attack, patrons stormed out of the pub and also attacked the Ultras, according to video footage shown in court. The recordings make it clear that there was violence on both sides. A defense attorney also pointed this out.

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According to the indictment, the defendants did not physically participate in the attack, for example they should not have thrown chairs. However, some of them are said to have called for violence with statements and hand movements. (dpa/ds)