In North Rhine-Westphalia, police authorities will now disclose the nationality of suspects in media reports, as confirmed by the Düsseldorf Interior Ministry.

This change aims to enhance transparency and counter speculation regarding crime and migration.

The new directive will apply to all identifiable suspects, although exceptions can be made if the public prosecutor decides otherwise.

Previously, the police followed a 2011 guideline that limited the disclosure of nationality unless there was a significant public interest.

The decision comes amid ongoing societal debates about the relationship between migration and crime, with critics warning that naming nationalities could fuel racism, while supporters argue it promotes transparency and counters misinformation.