Wuppertal Police Raid Sparks €200,000 Lawsuit Over Mistaken Target

A 2023 police raid involving explosives and gunfire targeted a man who was legally abroad, prompting legal action from his family.

In June 2023, a police special forces unit raided a Wuppertal home, using explosives and firing shots into the air, only to find the suspect was abroad with official approval.
The family of the targeted gold dealer has filed a lawsuit against the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, seeking over €200,000 in damages and compensation for injuries and trauma.
The raid caused significant property damage, and the suspect's wife was injured by debris and suffered psychological shock.
The North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Ministry later admitted the raid was due to a clerical error, as the suspect's authorized trip abroad was not recorded in police systems.
The suspect, accused of gold smuggling and tax evasion, remains in Turkey, with prosecutors expressing concern over the impact of the botched operation on their investigation.