Turkish taxi-driver files complaint against German deputy for Islamophobic insult

A deputy from Germany's Free Democratic Party (FDP) allegedly called a Muslim taxi-driver a "shit Muslim" and then punched him in the face, German media outlets reported on Monday. But, the FDP deputy denies the charges.

Karlheinz Busen (64) came to the attention of the police when a 34 year-old taxi driver, of Turkish origin, filed a complained against the deputy on charges of calling him a "shit Muslim" and "hitting him on the face with a fist". The taxi driver visited the police station in the city of Ahaus on Friday night, right after the alleged incident, and filed the complaint.

The German deputy on the hand denies the allegations vigorously and has in turn filed charges against the taxi driver for physical assault and theft. His press office in the city of Düsseldorfer reportedly said that his version of the dispute with the taxi driver was different.

Prosecutors must now consider whether to initiate an investigation against the deputy and to seek annulment of his immunity from parliament.

According to the police report, the taxi driver indicated that he had been insulted by Busen, who allegedly called him "shit Muslim". Upon this, the taxi driver asked the deputy to leave the car. Then the taxi driver was allegedly punched in the face. The taxi driver admitted to the police that he also punched Busen himself after this incident.

The German daily "Bild" reported the deputy has initially refused to be interrogated by the police and showed his deputy card, saying "I have immunity".