Police search homes of 17 Hansa Rostock hooligans over swastika flag photo

Morning raids in Rostock

Police and prosecutors are searching the homes of 17 suspects in Rostock on the morning of 10 November. In total 16 searches are planned across the city of Rostock and the districts of Rostock and Vorpommern-Greifswald. N-tv and stern put the deployment at 121 officers, while NDR says more than 120. Police said the suspects are aged between 19 and 36.

Allegations over a group photo

Investigators are looking into suspicion of dangerous bodily harm and of using symbols of unconstitutional organisations. The case began with a group photo of 17 people who had apparently lined up for a so-called third-location clash, a pre-arranged fight between Hansa supporters and, presumably, supporters of Glasgow Rangers, staged away from the stadium. Rival fan groups meet in such fights by design at a spot apart from the ground. Some of the people pictured are also suspected of posing with a swastika flag and of knowingly accepting that the photo would be published.

Earlier reporting and club response

The research portal Exif published pictures of Hansa supporters in England in early September, some of which showed such a flag. The third-division club responded straight away, announcing stadium bans and club expulsions against the people concerned where they are members. According to NDR, the away match at FC Watford took place in July, and the suspects are alleged to have agreed the brawl with Rangers fans outside the stadium after that game.