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Syrian teen kicked off Berlin tram 'for wearing headscarf'

The Local Germany
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Syrian teen kicked off Berlin tram 'for wearing headscarf'
File photo: DPA

A 14-year-old from Syria has reported a Berlin tram driver to police, claiming he told her to get off the vehicle because she was wearing a headscarf.

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The incident took place in the southeastern neighbourhood of Friedrichshagen on Tuesday, according to the police report.

The teen got onto the tram shortly after 2pm, intending to ride to the nearest S-Bahn stop.

But the driver announced over the loudspeaker that she should get out of the vehicle, saying he would not drive anyone who wears a headscarf, the girl told police.

According to her account, she did not receive support from any of the other passengers and left the vehicle, unsure of what the right thing to do was.

She later discussed the incident with an adult, who then reported it to authorities.

The Berlin Transport Company (BVG), which promotes itself as young, hip and liberal, told Tagesspiegel it was looking into the incident.

Examination of the relevant CCTV footage would last until Thursday, the company said.

BVG released a wildly popular video last year listing all the things people can get away with on its trains, trams and buses - the message being that as long as Berliners pay their fares the BVG lets them follow any lifestyle they want.

 

In a separate incident, a 17-year-old reported being attacked in the Prenzlauer Berg neighbourhood in the northeast of the city by four men who had showed him the Hitler salute, Die Welt reports.

The incident is said to have taken place over the weekend. The dark-skinned teenager was leaving a shop when one of the men made the Nazi salute in his direction and said “that’s how we say goodbye in Germany.”
 
According to the teen’s account, he then pushed the man and ran away. But the group caught him and attacked him, leaving him with a broken shoulder bone.

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