A leaked list of New Year’s Eve arrests in Berlin has reignited debate over crime and immigration in Germany. Official police statements claimed most suspects were adult German nationals, but the leaked list suggests many individuals had names commonly associated with migrant backgrounds.
The list, leaked to a right-leaning German news portal, included 256 first names of suspects. Analysis by Nius.de found that the majority of names—such as Abdul Karim, Mohammed, and Ali—indicated migrant or Muslim heritage. According to the report, while migrant-background individuals comprise 40% of Berlin’s population, they accounted for an estimated 80% of the arrests.
Berlin police confirmed the leak’s authenticity and launched an investigation into the breach. Police spokesperson Florian Nath criticized the release, stating it likely violated privacy laws and could fuel discriminatory attitudes. Nath defended the official figures, which reported 670 suspects, 406 of whom were “German nationals.” Critics argue, however, that such classifications obscure the migrant origins of some suspects due to the widespread issuance of German passports to naturalized citizens.
The leak highlights a longstanding controversy in Germany over crime rates among migrants and naturalized citizens. Since the Cologne mass sex attacks in 2016 and subsequent incidents, such as property burnings in Berlin in 2023, public anxiety about migrant crime has grown. Critics assert that official statistics fail to fully disclose the extent of migrant involvement in criminal activity due to limitations on data collection and reporting practices.
For example, a study in Denmark in 2015 revealed that the top ten criminal forenames were of Arabic origin, drawing parallels to the Berlin list. Similarly, in another German state, a list of suspects in gang rape cases reportedly showed a predominance of migrant-heritage names.
The leaked list has prompted renewed calls for greater transparency in reporting crime statistics. Advocates argue that clear data is essential for understanding emerging trends and addressing public safety concerns. Opponents worry that focusing on ethnic or cultural backgrounds risks stigmatizing communities and fueling xenophobia.
The controversy underscores broader challenges in Europe as nations balance immigration policies with public safety and social cohesion. The Berlin case highlights the importance of open dialogue and effective policies to address the concerns of all citizens.
