German police are investigating an incident at a Scholz party

BERLIN (AP) — German police are investigating after several women said they felt unwell following an event organized by the parliamentary group of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s party.

Berlin police said on Saturday the investigation was triggered by a 21-year-old woman, who felt dizzy and unwell several hours after Wednesday’s summer party for the Social Democrats, then could not remember the evening of the following day. She went to the hospital for checks and the police ordered a blood test for analysis of possible toxic substances.

The woman ate and drank at the event, but did not consume alcohol, police said. By Saturday morning, four more cases in which people reported similar symptoms had emerged. German media reported that they were allegedly victims of so-called « knockout drops », which can be mixed with drinks or food. Police said they were awaiting test results.

Police have opened an investigation into unidentified persons suspected of bodily harm. They and the centre-left Social Democrats said they were unaware of any breaches beyond that.

Social Democrat co-leader Lars Klingbeil told Welt television he was « furious that such a thing could happen at an event » organized by the party. He said that the leadership of the parliamentary group is cooperating with the authorities and that he hopes « that the perpetrator or perpetrators can be arrested and then brought to justice ».

About 1,000 people attended the annual party on Wednesday, including the chancellor, party lawmakers and their staff.

The Associated Press

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