German police probe Israeli flag theft, desecration in Berlin

German police have launched an investigation after an Israeli flag was allegedly stolen, desecrated and discarded in a central Berlin square.

Police said on Saturday that a 27-year-old man had been carrying the flags of Germany, Iran and Israel at Alexanderplatz — a major transport and tourist hub — on Friday afternoon when he was approached by an unidentified individual.

The suspect allegedly initiated an argument in Arabic before seizing the Israeli flag. He then reportedly stomped on it and fled the scene with the flag, while also making an obscene gesture toward the victim.

Around 45 minutes later, a woman reported seeing two different men spit on an Israeli flag, pour an unknown liquid over it and throw it into a trash bin.

The woman retrieved the flag and turned it over to police, who confirmed it was the same flag stolen from the 27-year-old earlier that day.

The victim has filed a criminal complaint. Germany’s State Security Police, which handles politically motivated offences, has taken over the investigation.