Police abuse in Pforzheim, southwest Germany

15 July 1997

Roma National Congress (RNC) reported on June 24 that a Romani family had contacted the Frankfurt Roma Union concerning an incident of alleged police abuse in the southwest German town of Pforzheim. According to RNC, the police flagged to the side of the road a car driven by a Roma family in the city and asked the passengers to show their documents. When the Roma produced legitimate identification papers, the police allegedly escorted the family out of the city to an overpass, placed the documents on the motorway and drove over them several times before thrusting them back into the car driven by the Roma. The Frankfurt Roma Union intends to undertake legal action against the police. (Roma National Congress)