Saarland: The investigation into the death of the bailiff is ongoing

The day after the fatal attack on a bailiff in Bexbach, Saarland, the Ministry of Justice, the prosecutor’s office and the state police would like to provide information on the current status of the investigation. The suspect is scheduled to be brought before a judge today.

He is being investigated on suspicion of murder. The 42-year-old man from the Saar-Pfalz district was arrested immediately after the attack on Tuesday morning. According to the current investigation, the 58-year-old bailiff was said to have been in the 42-year-old man’s apartment “at the time of the eviction by foreclosure,” according to the prosecutor’s office. There he killed her with a knife.

In light of these cruel measures, the Association of German Bailiffs is calling for better protection and security concepts for field employees. In an interview with the German Press Agency, chairman Matthias Boek named increased training, better protective equipment such as stab- and bullet-proof vests, and greater protection of the privacy of court officers as three “key issues”.

“Verbal attacks are actually normal. It’s part of our daily lives,” said Boek. There is also physical violence: “It starts with spitting, scratching and pushing” and can then escalate further. Bexbach was a particularly sad and dramatic incident, “but court officials actually experience violent incidents throughout the year,” the chief said.

Verdi unions complained of increasing violence against employees of courts, prisons and other authorities. The number of incidents has increased significantly, said Christian Runde, managing director of Verdi in the Saar-Trier region. Public sector union members are deeply concerned about increasing violence against workers.