An arson attack was carried out on the constituency office of the Berlin member of the Bundestag and Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus (Greens) in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday. According to the police, no one was injured. However, “significant damage to property of an unknown amount was incurred,” said the Greens in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, whose office is also in the office.
According to the police, an employee of the party office noticed a burning wooden bench in front of the office at Windscheidstrasse 16 around half past twelve. The fire, which had already spread to the window frames of the shop window, was first extinguished by an office worker and a passer-by with a fire extinguisher and later by the fire brigade. The state security of the State Criminal Police Office has taken over the investigation into the arson attack.
According to witness statements, right-wing extremist graffiti was also discovered on a construction site opposite the office. Someone wrote the abbreviation “NSU” (National Socialist Underground) on a barrier. It is currently being examined to what extent the graffiti is connected to the arson attack.
“The act goes beyond party lines and is to be condemned as an attack on our democratic system,” wrote the Greens in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf in a statement. “Even if the shock is deep, we don’t let it intimidate us! It is important to defend our democracy together against all forms of violence.” The office and the constituency office will remain closed until further notice.
SPD Interior Minister Nancy Faeser condemned the attack on Twitter “in the strongest terms”.
