We keep receiving inquiries about a newspaper clipping alleging that HIV-contaminated syringes were found in a seat in a Cologne cinema.

However, this story is a fake news that has been shared for a long time.

It's about this text that appeared in a local newspaper:

Screenshot by mimikama.org
Screenshot by mimikama.org

It's hard to believe, but unfortunately it was!!! Read through and pass on... This applies to all of us, what we should pay attention to...

“-READ AND FORWARD!!!-
This happened in a cinema in Cologne.
A few weeks ago in a movie theater a person sat on something pointy that was on one of the seats. When she sat up again to see what it was, she found a needle stuck into the seat with a note attached: "You have just been infected by HIV."
The Disease Control Center reports several similar events that have recently occurred in several other cities. All needles tested ARE HIV positive. The center reports that needles were also found in the money return slots of public machines (tickets, parking, etc.). They ask everyone to be extremely careful in such situations. All public chairs must be examined with vigilance and caution before use. A meticulous visual inspection should be sufficient. They also encourage everyone to convey this message to all members of your family and friends. Thanks. This is very important!!! Think you can save a life by spreading this message. PLEASE take a few seconds to read and forward the message.
LKA public relations

The fact check

It is a false report .

It was shared back in 2007. The police made it clear in a press release that there were no known cases of HIV-contaminated syringes in Cologne cinemas. The false report merely pretended that the “LKA Public Relations” had sent out a warning message.

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“But it was in a Lübeck district newspaper!” – Yes, that was actually the case . A dear user from Lübeck kindly sent us photos from the August 2019 issue of the Lübeck district newspaper “Fregatte”. This magazine is published by the residents' association Buntekuh eV .

In contrast to the requested sharepic, it is also clear here that this is a reader find and not an editorial article from the newspaper itself:

The district newspaper and the article about the HIV needle in the cinema seat
The district newspaper and the article about the HIV needle in the cinema seat

“found by our reader GK”

Conclusion:

The reader's discovery is false news that has been shared on social networks for a good 12 years. The police have not recorded any relevant cases in this regard.

An urban legend that never happened.


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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )