Violence breaks out at Brussels Square: Kiosk employee attacked!

Violence breaks out at Brussels Square: Kiosk employee attacked!

On July 1, 2025, shortly after 11 p.m., there was a violent argument at Brusselser Platz in Cologne between an employee of the public order office and a kiosk employee. A video taken during the incident shows a law enforcement officer putting the kiosk employee, identified as Pablo Dege, in a headlock. According to a confirmation from the Cologne police, a report has been made regarding this incident. The city of Cologne has also acknowledged the incident, but is not providing any further information for data protection and personal reasons.

The dispute broke out when the public order office employees wanted to stop the music at the kiosk “Le Kiosk” and check the personal details of the operations manager. Dege questioned the necessity of these measures, which escalated the situation. The altercation resulted in Dege being taken to the hospital, where he was treated for abrasions, a black eye and other injuries. Heike Rader, the owner of the kiosk, was not on site, but received reports from witnesses who observed the incident. She is now making allegations against the law enforcement officers who, in her opinion, have been harassing her team since a ban on the consumption and carrying of alcohol was issued.

Background of the conflicts

At Brussels Square there have been tensions between the city, residents and restaurateurs for years due to noise protection and nightly parties. In this context, it is not the first time that disputes have arisen between the public order office and the employees of catering establishments. The city carries out regular inspections there to ensure compliance with the specified regulations, which not only concern alcohol consumption, but also other aspects such as noise protection.

The violent escalation raises questions about security management in such authorities. Because, like that Academy for Violence Protection reports, protection against violence plays a central role in public order offices and other authorities. Concepts such as violence prevention, role training and self-defense are crucial to avoiding such conflicts and ensuring safety for everyone involved.

Outlook and reactions

The city of Cologne has now reiterated its position and is not commenting in detail on the incident due to ongoing investigations. However, affected parties, including kiosk staff and residents, expect more clarity and suggest that something like this should not happen again. While the dispute is examined from different angles, it remains to be seen what steps will be taken to defuse the situation at Brussels Square.

For kiosk owner Heike Rader, it is clear that the pressure on her team could increase if the situation does not improve sustainably. The kiosk team hopes for more support and understanding from the city in order to coexist peacefully in the future.