Civil courage in Freiberg: Passer-by stops drunk attacker!
A 21-year-old was attacked by an alcoholic man on Bebelplatz in Freiberg on November 8, 2025. A passer-by bravely intervened and stopped the attacker. The police are investigating suspected robbery.

Civil courage in Freiberg: Passer-by stops drunk attacker!
An incident occurred on Friday afternoon at Bebelplatz in Freiberg that brought both courage and moral courage to the fore. A 21-year-old woman was harassed during a phone call by a man who was apparently heavily intoxicated and who not only reached for her cell phone but also grabbed her arm. This dangerous situation caused a 38-year-old passerby to intervene and separate the two, which, however, earned him several punches and insults from the 34-year-old suspect. Both the woman and the helper suffered minor injuries in the scuffle.
It didn't take long for the alerted police to arrive and temporarily arrest the suspect on site. A breath alcohol test showed over two per mille, and a preliminary drug test also showed that the man was under the influence of cannabis. The police are currently investigating suspected robbery that could have arisen from this threatening situation. The incident does good business for the discussion about moral courage in our society.
Focus on civil courage
The passerby's action is an impressive example of civil courage, which is defined as "civic courage" and means courageous behavior in threatening situations. It is important to know that everyone has a legal obligation to intervene in emergency situations to the best of their abilities. This is set out in Section 323c of the Criminal Code and has the aim of promoting peaceful and civilized coexistence. What is particularly impressive is that those who help in dangerous situations are insured against accidents under Section 2 SGB VII to protect them in the event of damage.
It becomes clear again and again that moral courage is not only a way to help others in need, but also an encouragement for others to also become active. Despite the statistical uncertainty, it is assumed that many people value moral courage, but few actually act on it. This shows us that it is time to intensify this discussion and continue to raise citizens' awareness of the issue.
Legal aspects of civil courage
Despite all this courage, however, caution is also required, because intervening can endanger your own safety. Experts recommend assessing the situation first before acting and, if necessary, alerting the police. It is also important to be aware of the legal framework. Civil courage can pose legal risks, especially if one's own actions violate the rights of others. Nevertheless, the laws in Germany also offer a certain level of protection if you act in the interest of averting danger.
In summary, this incident in Freiberg impressively shows how important civil courage is and what responsibility each individual in our society bears. A good knack for assessing dangerous situations is essential, and as a society we should encourage each other to intervene when it matters most. Information and support on this topic is available, among others, from the German Statutory Accident Insurance and on platforms that promote civil courage, such as the Aktion tu was website.
Further information about civil courage and the legal framework can be found in the Fachanwalt.de magazine or at Blick.de.
Links to the information: