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Synagogue in Ermreuth
Photo: Daniel Vogl / dpa
Because of an attempted arson attack on the synagogue in the Bavarian town of Ermreuth, a 22-year-old has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison. The Bamberg District Court found the man guilty of attempted aggravated arson and damage to property that was harmful to the public (Az.: 510 Js 18/23).
The presiding judge attested to the defendant's right-wing extremist sentiments that had existed for years. He had been aware of the consequences of his act despite the considerable alcohol consumption, and the verdict was also intended to send a clear signal in this respect.
Act on the night of New Year's Day
The young man had declared in court that he had a right-wing extremist attitude and admitted to having smashed a window of the synagogue in Upper Franconia in a drunken state on the night of New Year's 2023. A surveillance video shows how he then tried to light fireworks and throw them into the synagogue. When this failed, he moved on. There were no people in the building at that time.
The Munich Public Prosecutor's Office had attested to the 22-year-old's "well-established anti-Jewish and right-wing extremist attitude" and demanded a prison sentence of three years.
The young man's defence lawyer spoke out in favour of a suspended sentence of a maximum of two years and several conditions. This should include, for example, a ban on alcohol and talks on deradicalisation. The verdict is not yet final.
wit/dpa