What began with a series of inspections in places objectively dangerous to the public β where evidently the authorities turned a blind eye for quite some time β seems to have turned into something different. At this point, nothing too alarming since anyone who descended those steep stairs to find himself surrounded by dozens of half-naked bodies, exchanging fluids with each others, and using numerous variations of the wide range of bondage and sadomasochism methods, has probably wondered how to get out of that rat trap, in case of danger.
If there was a fire exit, it was hidden very well and, in any case, it would not have been enough to evacuate all the people crammed in that pit hole. Additionally, the fact that smoking was allowed, increasing the fire hazard , also meant that even normal breathing was not optimal. A place dedicated to fetish and sadomasochism lovers which, last year, had to move to a new location.
The venue underwent a series of inspections linked to the possibility of selling alcohol on the premises. Once the permit was suspended, the place underwent new inspections that led to its closure. A couple of months ago the icing on the cake came from the inspection carried out at 10 pm at the Ajpnia association, with ten municipal officials checking for measurement and equipment.
The allocated sanctions are all legitimate but giving out fines for not having a no-smoking sign in an all ages setting or for a step one inch too high according to the safety normative seems a bit extreme.
While the safety and welfare of the attendee should have a prominent role especially after the fire at the Apollo sauna that, for lack of emergency exits, killed three people last year , sexual minorities β even in Berlin β still need protection and the intransigence shown during these inspections does not seem to be the right tool to guarantee it.
