Journalist Assaulted by Clan Member After Berlin Court Hearing

The attack occurred following a legal dispute over the return of Mahmoud Al-Zein, a figure tied to organized crime, to Germany.

Thomas Heise, a journalist reporting on organized crime, was attacked by a member of the Al-Zein clan outside a Berlin court after attending a hearing.
The incident followed a legal proceeding addressing the reduction of a seven-year entry ban for Mahmoud Al-Zein, a known figure in Berlin's criminal underworld.
The attacker, identified as a nephew of Al-Zein with prior convictions, struck Heise in the face, prompting the journalist to seek refuge and later medical attention for injuries including facial bruises and temporary vision issues.
The court had not implemented heightened security measures despite the high-profile nature of the case and the presence of multiple clan members at the hearing.
The court reduced Al-Zein's entry ban to four and a half years, citing familial ties to Germany, though his potential return will require further visa approval.