Two Berlin police officers are said to have warned business owners of upcoming controls. There are allegations of bribery and money laundering. During a search in the capital with 350 emergency services, 287,000 euros were confiscated, and a large account deposit is still being investigated.
The Berlin police have carried out searches on two officers from their own ranks who are accused of bribery and other criminal offenses. As the police and public prosecutor’s office jointly announced, homes and two police offices were searched at a total of 41 locations in the capital on Tuesday.
Around 350 officers confiscated several digital data carriers and mobile phones. In addition, assets of around 287,000 euros were secured. The action was preceded by extensive investigations into the two police officers and six other suspects, in particular on suspicion of corruption and bribery.
In addition, according to the information, there are also “suspicions” about, among other things, evasion of criminal prosecution in office, tax evasion and money laundering. The accused officials – a police inspector and a police superintendent – are suspected of having requested data from the police system for the six business owners who are also accused in their department and have warned them of upcoming controls. The chief police officer is also said to have initiated investigations without correctly recording the basis for suspicion, for example information from the business owners who were also accused.
The origin of around 249,000 euros that were paid into his account should now be clarified on the basis of the data carriers and documents confiscated during the searches. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, disciplinary action would be taken against the two officers, it said.
(This article was first published on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.)
