A German police officer from Essen is paying a 71-year-old taxi driver on Mallorca 40,000 euros in compensation following an assault in August 2024. The incident stemmed from a mistaken accusation of phone theft and resulted in severe injuries to the victim. The agreement allows the officer to avoid a prison sentence.
In August 2024, a violent incident on Mallorca left a 71-year-old taxi driver seriously injured. After a ride from the Ballermann area in Playa de Palma to a rural hotel in the island's center, the German police officer from Essen attacked the driver. According to the victim, three other German officers under 30 were involved. The trigger was a missing phone: The vacationers accused the Mallorcan of theft, but the device later turned up in their own bag. The assault caused the driver several broken ribs and a fractured arm.
The Guardia Civil arrested the main suspect that night and two others the next day. An investigating judge released all immediately. Prosecutors filed charges, with only the main suspect facing up to three years in prison for coercion and bodily harm.
Lawyers from both sides, along with the prosecution, have now agreed on a settlement: The officer will pay 40,000 euros in compensation and cover legal costs. The court must still approve the deal, seen as a formality. "My client takes responsibility and has expressed remorse. The victim has accepted the apology," the defendant's lawyer told the Mallorca Zeitung. The officer remains on duty in Germany, but a disciplinary proceeding looms. Essen police are awaiting Spanish documents.