German police are now investigating after nine women complained of having their drinks potentially spiked with date-rape drugs at an invitation-only “summer bash” hosted by the ruling Social Democrats (SPD).
While there were no actual victims of a sexual assault, the women complained of headaches, nausea, and memory lapses, with police investigating the use of knockout drugs.
Last Wednesday, the SPD parliamentary faction held a summer party in Berlin‘s Tiergarten park. About a thousand guests attended, including the leader of Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Usually, business leaders and other influential figures attend the summer event, but due to coronavirus considerations, the event was held as an “internal-only” party.
In the following days after the party, however, five women reported health problems to the police, namely nausea and memory lapses. Since then, more women have come forward, and police are now investigating unknown suspects.
One of these women reported that although she did not drink alcohol, she felt dizzy and faint. She also claimed she could not remember part of the evening. The other women who gradually reported themselves to the police said they had similar experiences. So far, one toxicology report has confirmed one of the women’s accounts.
The SPD said it was appalled by the case. The party urged the affected women not to hesitate to contact the police and come forward. SPD co-chairman Lars Klingbeil said on Welt-TV that he believes they will find the perpetrator.
The article was first reported by German newspaper Tagesspiegel, with news agencies DPA and Reuters later citing the same internal party communication on the issue.
“This is an outrageous turn of events, which on our side was immediately reported to the parliamentary police,” senior SPD official Mathias Martin wrote to SPD Bundestag lawmakers and their staff.
