A hostage crisis at a supermarket in southern Berlin ended on Saturday morning when police special forces stormed the building and freed a woman who had been held for nearly 12 hours, according to local authorities.

The hostage, reported by German media to be a cashier at the Rewe store in the Marienfelde district, was taken shortly before 10 p.m. on Friday evening. Police spokesman Florian Nath said the assailant was overpowered with a taser and both the suspect and the victim sustained minor injuries. They received medical treatment at the scene before being transported to hospital.

German media identified the suspect as a 29-year-old Turkish national who was already known to police. During the night, he made a series of demands, the nature of which authorities have not disclosed. A police spokesman confirmed that negotiators maintained contact with the man throughout the standoff, but no details of the conversations have been released.

A store employee told reporters that the hostage was a colleague and that the assailant, the last customer before closing, suddenly produced a knife at the checkout. Police declined to confirm that account, citing the ongoing operation. The area around the supermarket was sealed off, and residents were advised to avoid the vicinity, though authorities said there was no wider threat to the public.

The suspect is expected to appear before a judge on Sunday on charges of hostage-taking, according to the Berlin public prosecutor’s office. The motive remains under investigation.