At least two people have been hurt after several shots were fired near a courthouse in western Germany, where a high-profile murder trial is taking place.

Police in Bielefeld said they are dealing with a “large-scale operation” after the shooting at around 1.40pm local time (12.40pm UK time) in the centre of the city.

Officers said they could not rule out a connection with an ongoing case, linked to the death of a former boxer nearly a year ago.

A suspect is currently being tried on suspicion of the murder of Besar Nimani, a former welterweight boxing champion.

There has been no update on the condition of those injured and police say it is unclear how many potential suspects there are.

Image:
Shots were fired near Bielefeld Regional Court. Pic: Friso Gentsch/picture-alliance/dpa/AP

Images show armed officers patrolling the area, with the scene around Bielefeld Regional Court cordoned off.

A man was also spotted being led away in handcuffs.

Pic: Friso Gentsch/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
Image:
Pic: Friso Gentsch/picture-alliance/dpa/AP

Mr Nimani, who died at the age of 38, was fatally shot in the street in Bielefeld last March.

The Albanian fighter from Kosovo once held the IBF European Super Welterweight title, as well as two German belts.

German police began a search for two suspects and a 38-year-old man was arrested in Brussels in July. His murder trial began in January. Officers are still looking for a second suspect.

According to court documents, two men ambushed Besar Nimani on 9 March and fired 16 shots in front of a shop in the city.

31 January 2025, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bielefeld: The defendant (l) stands next to his defense lawyer Tobias Diedrich in a courtroom at the start of the trial for the violent death of a former professional boxer. A 34-year-old man from Bielefeld is charged with murder. He is alleged to have fired 16 shots at Besar Nimani on March 9, 2024, together with an accomplice who is still being sought. The victim bled to death at the scene of the crime in front of a store in the pedestrian zone. Photo b
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A 38-year-old man is on trial on suspicion of murder at Bielefeld Regional Court. Pic: Friso Gentsch/picture-alliance/dpa/AP

31 January 2025, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bielefeld: The victim's brother, Berat Nimani (l), and Georg Schulze (r), the defense lawyer for the joint plaintiff, sit in a courtroom at the start of the trial for the violent death of a former professional boxer. A 34-year-old man from Bielefeld is charged with murder. He is alleged to have fired 16 shots at Besar Nimani on March 9, 2024, together with an accomplice who is still being sought. The victim bled to death at the scene of the crime in front
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Berat Nimani (L) with his lawyer Georg Schulze (R) appearing at the start of the murder trial in January. Pic: Friso Gentsch/picture-alliance/dpa/AP

Berat Nimani, Besar’s brother, has been attending the murder trial at Bielefeld Regional Court in recent weeks.

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