SEK — Einsatz
Innocent Neuroscientist Wrongfully Assaulted: Dr. Amir Jahanian Recounts the Brutal SEK Raid in Germany
The life of
The life of Dr. Amir Jahanian, a neuroscientist and postdoctoral researcher at Bielefeld University, was irrevocably shattered in the early hours of July 26, 2023, when an elite German Special Commando Unit (SEK) mistakenly stormed his apartment. This high-profile case has exposed systemic flaws in German police operations and highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by migrants, even highly integrated academics.
The Traumatic Dawn of July 26, 2023
The incident took place in Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, shortly after Dr. Jahanian and his wife, Dr. Hadis Imani, had moved into their new apartment. Dr. Jahanian recounts the event as a nightmare realization of his greatest fears, marking an end to his perceived security in a country hailed for its rule of law.
The Assault Details
- Time and Method: At 6:00 AM, the SEK team breached the apartment door without warning. Dr. Jahanian, awakened by a sound he described as an “explosion,” was immediately confronted by silhouettes of heavily armed men.
- Brutality and Mistreatment: According to his testimony and media reports, the officers did not identify themselves as police. Dr. Jahanian was violently tackled, handcuffed, and severely beaten. He stated that he was “pushed to the ground, stomped on, and beaten,” resulting in significant injuries to his face and body. German press would later report that the SEK had “beat an innocent university lecturer bloody.”
- Fear for Life: Both Dr. Jahanian and his wife confirmed the terror of the moment. Believing they were under attack by a gang or armed criminals, they feared for their lives. Dr. Imani managed to document some of the immediate aftermath, capturing evidence of his injuries and the chaotic scene.
The Fatal Identity Error
The horrific raid was a consequence of a major operational blunder by law enforcement intelligence.
- The Actual Target: The SEK’s mission was to apprehend the leader of a notorious biker gang (likely the “Hells Angels”), a dangerous, heavily tattooed criminal who resided in an apartment two floors above the couple.
- The Mistake: Police intelligence failed to correctly identify the target’s apartment, leading the heavily armed unit to Dr. Jahanian’s door. The stark contrast between the target—a wanted criminal—and the victim—a scholarly neuroscientist—underscored the gravity of the error.
Official Response and Lingering Trauma
The immediate fallout of the raid was dramatic, triggering widespread media attention and a formal institutional response.
- The Compensation Battle: While the police committed to covering material damages, the payment of non-pecuniary damages (Schmerzensgeld—compensation for pain and suffering) remains a protracted legal issue. Dr. Jahanian has publicly called the delay and the low value of the proposed compensation a “scandal,” stating that the system is attempting to “wrap up the case without harm to its own forces.”
- The Principle of the Rule of Law: As a researcher dedicated to his work, Dr. Jahanian’s testimony highlights a critical failure: in a country priding itself on the rule of law, the brutal application of force against an innocent citizen, purely due to incompetence, remains unacceptably damaging. His ongoing public engagement is a powerful effort to prevent similar injustices and ensure transparency in police conduct.
- Immediate Apology: Recognizing the gravity of the mistake, Dr. Sandra Müller-Steinhauer, the Bielefeld Police Chief, personally visited Dr. Jahanian at the hospital on the day of the attack to issue a formal apology. The Police Department subsequently released a statement confirming they took the “allegations concerning the SEK operation in the wrong apartment seriously.”
- Long-Term Psychological Damage: Despite the apology, the trauma has been lasting. Dr. Jahanian and Dr. Imani reported suffering from severe sleep disorders and recurring panic attacks—symptoms of significant Post-Traumatic Stress.
- Exile and Isolation: The event caused a profound disruption to their lives, forcing them out of their home for nearly four months. Furthermore, Dr. Jahanian noted that some colleagues and friends distanced themselves, fearful of the police involvement or harboring suspicion that the scientist must have been involved in some criminal activity to warrant such a raid.
The Fight for Justice and Accountability
Dr. Jahanian has consistently emphasized that his battle is not primarily for financial compensation but for accountability and justice within the German system.
“Dr. Jahanian’s case stands as a chilling reminder that the promise of safety and security in a new homeland can be fragile, and the fight for justice often continues long after the initial physical wounds have healed.”
List of Sources
The information in this article is based on personal testimony from the YouTube interview and verified reports from major German and international media outlets:
1.Mokhlesim Show (YouTube Interview):
Date: March 7, 2025 (as listed on the video, referencing the events of July 2023)
Source: YouTube Video: “از اصفهان تا آلمان: تخصص علوم اعصاب، مهاجرت و درگیری جنجالی با پلیس آلمان!” (From Isfahan to Germany: Neuroscience Specialization, Migration, and the Controversial Clash with German Police!)
3.Polizei Bielefeld (Bielefeld Police Press Release):
Coverage Focus: Official confirmation of the mistake, the Police Chief’s apology, and the commitment to covering damages.
Title: “Polizei Bielefeld nimmt Vorwürfe nach SEK-Einsatz in falscher Wohnung ernst” (Bielefeld Police Take Allegations Following SEK Operation in the Wrong Apartment Seriously)
Date: August 9, 2023
2.T-Online (German News Outlet):
Coverage Focus: Detailed reporting on the identity mix-up, the severity of the assault, and the psychological impact.
Title: “Bielefeld: Unschuldiger Uni-Dozent Opfer von brutaler SEK-Verwechslung” (Bielefeld: Innocent University Lecturer Victim of Brutal SEK Mix-Up)
4.RTL WEST (Regional Television/News Channel):
Coverage Focus: Video reports and interviews with Dr. Jahanian and his wife, emphasizing the ongoing psychological distress (panic attacks, sleep disorders).
Title: “SEK-Einsatz in falscher Wohnung” (SEK Operation in the Wrong Apartment)
5.BILD.de (German Tabloid):
- Title: SEK schlägt aus Versehen unschuldigen Uni-Dozenten blutig (SEK beats innocent university lecturer bloody by mistake)
- Coverage Focus: Highlighting the shocking nature of the violence and the unsuitability of the force used.