“I wanted to set this on fire” – New details about the arson attack on the synagogue
A report to the Interior Committee gives details of the arson attack in Wuppertal. The suspect is said to have used accelerant and made statements when arrested.
Quick Look
Almost three weeks after the arson attack on the Wuppertal synagogue, a report to the Interior Committee shows that the suspected Afghan expressed intentions to burn and hatred of Jews when he was arrested.
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Why It Matters
Almost three weeks ago there was an arson attack on the synagogue in Wuppertal.
Almost three weeks after the arson attack on the synagogue in Wuppertal, new details are becoming known: According to this, the suspect pointed his head in the direction of the Jewish institution when he was arrested and said: “I hate it” and “I wanted to set it on fire”. This emerges from a report to the state parliament's interior committee.
According to the report by Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU), the 37-year-old Afghan had three plastic bags with accelerant. He first threw two of the bags against the facade of a café that is part of the synagogue. However, the bags bounced off. The suspect then tore open the third bag, spread the contents in front of the front door of the café and set it on fire with a lighter.
The police, who are keeping constant watch on the other side of the synagogue, were alerted by employees. The officers arrested the 37-year-old a few meters from the crime scene, and he was taken into custody a day later. According to the report, after his spontaneous statements during the arrest, the suspect did not comment again.
Open Questions
- What other motive details is the state security agency checking?
- How will the security situation at synagogues be further adjusted?
