Berlin police launch investigation after Irish activist was struck in the face at Palestine protest

Kitty O'Brien was treated by the Berlin fire brigade for unspecified injuries, police said. The activist is being investigated for insulting and resisting law enforcement officers. File picture 

Berlin police have opened an internal investigation after videos emerged showing an Irish activist at a pro-Palestinian demonstration being punched in the face twice by an officer, drawing protest from the department of foreign affairs.

Footage posted on social media showed the activist, Kitty O’Brien, being struck by a male police officer and dragged away, their face bloodied, from the rally on Thursday in the Mitte district of the German capital.

The local newspaper Der Tagesspiegel said O’Brien’s arm was also broken at the demonstration but this could not be independently verified.

A longer video published online shows a person resembling O’Brien, who uses non-binary pronouns, shouting insults including “fucking genocide supporter” and “you’re acting like a fucking Nazi” at police. One of the officers then appears to strike them in the face twice. It is unclear from the footage whether the police officer intentionally targeted the face.

A Berlin police spokesperson confirmed that authorities were aware of the incident and said the officer had been identified. 

We as the Berlin police are reviewing whether the officer acted proportionately, and we’re doing it as part of a criminal investigation on suspicion of bodily harm on duty.

O’Brien was treated by the Berlin fire brigade for unspecified injuries, police said. The activist is being investigated for insulting and resisting law enforcement officers.

It was not immediately clear whether O’Brien had filed a complaint against the officer.

The department of foreign affairs said senior officials and its ambassador to Germany, Maeve Collins, had conveyed “concern” to German authorities about the incident.

Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign chairwoman Zoë Lawlor, said the video footage obliged the Irish government to take action. 

“They had to take it seriously. It was two very violent assaults … It’s shocking. The German police are just horrendous when it comes to Palestine activism.” 

Ms Lawlor said a fundraiser had been launched for O’Brien. “I understand they are still in hospital and will be out of work for a period of time.”

Activists protested outside the German embassy in Dublin on Saturday. Catherine Stocker, a councillor with the Social Democrats and an aunt of O’Brien, said injuries included a broken arm and nerve damage.

• Guardian