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Wuppertal synagogue arson suspect arrested
A 37-year-old Afghan man has been arrested following an attempted arson attack on the Bergische Synagogue in Wuppertal, Germany. The incident occurred on a Thursday afternoon, shortly before the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.
According to the Wuppertal prosecutor's office, the suspect allegedly threw two bags of flammable liquid at the synagogue and poured a third near a side entrance before setting it ablaze. Synagogue staff managed to extinguish the flames within minutes, and no injuries were reported. Witnesses reported that the suspect made antisemitic remarks at the scene and had previously ordered two women to leave the area.
Investigators are treating the attack as an act of antisemitism. While the suspect is in custody on charges of attempted serious arson, authorities stated that no evidence of an Islamist background has been found thus far. A search of the suspect's residence uncovered several knives and a machete. The suspect, who was residing in Germany on a temporary residence permit, has a prior conviction for threatening a neighbor.
Entities
Bergische Synagogue · European Jewish Congress · Wuppertal · Wuppertal Public Prosecutor's Office
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Investigators believe antisemitism was the motive because the suspect made antisemitic remarks at the scene. www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.wz.de · nypost.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Police discovered several knives and a machete during a search of the suspect's apartment. www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.wz.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] No evidence of an Islamist background has been discovered in the investigation so far. www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The suspect has a previous criminal record for threatening a neighbor. www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.wz.de · nypost.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Synagogue staff extinguished the fire within minutes, and no injuries were reported. nypost.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] A judge issued an arrest warrant for the suspect on charges of attempted serious arson. www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.wz.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] The suspect ordered two women to leave the scene before the attack. www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The 37-year-old suspect threw two bags of flammable liquid at the synagogue and poured a third near a side entrance before lighting it. www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.wz.de · nypost.com