Suspected far-right arson attack on Cottbus housing project draws political condemnation and vigil
Two men threw Molotov cocktails at the alternative housing project 'Zelle 79' in Cottbus overnight, triggering a homicide investigation and a vigil of around 100 people. Politicians across parties condemned the suspected far-right attack and pledged to strengthen democracy education.
The attack
Two black-clad men aged between 15 and 20 threw Molotov cocktails at the alternative housing project 'Zelle 79' in Cottbus during the night of 1–2 July. A resident heard a bang and filmed the suspects. One of them had a tattoo on his left forearm and wore a black-white-red balaclava, the colours of the German Reich. Police assume the perpetrators come from the right-wing extremist spectrum. State security and a homicide commission are investigating attempted murder because people were inside the building at the time.
A short distance away, a fence slat at the nearby club 'Chekov' also caught fire. Police were called at around 10:40 on Thursday morning and are examining a possible link between the two incidents, citing both geographic and ideological proximity.
Political reaction
Brandenburg's Minister-President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) said he was stunned and appalled.
The recent events in Cottbus leave me stunned and appalled. Such acts must be punished with the utmost severity.
Finance Minister Daniel Keller (SPD) visited the scene and framed the attack as an assault on democracy.
He promised that the state would not cut funding for law enforcement and would invest more in democracy education to strengthen young people against extremist influence.Whoever attacks you also attacks our democracy.
Interior Minister Jan Redmann (CDU) also condemned the violence.
Right-wing extremists corrode coexistence. Whoever throws Molotov cocktails accepts victims. That leaves me stunned.
Cottbus mayor Tobias Schick (SPD) addressed the residents directly, affirming their right to live differently and calling for swift investigation and harsh punishment. He urged society to ask why young people turn to violence and to condemn such acts unequivocally, including at club meetings and workplaces.
Community response
Around 100 people gathered for a vigil outside 'Zelle 79' on Thursday evening, answering a call from the initiative 'Sichere Orte Südbrandenburg'. They chanted 'You are not alone!' in solidarity with the residents. The housing project had previously been targeted and a rainbow flag hung from the building.
Broader context
Dorina Feldmann of the victim support organisation Opferperspektive called for decisive action against right-wing violence on multiple levels, from a solidary city society to more police presence and consistent prosecution. She criticised that proceedings in such cases can take up to six years.
Politically motivated violent crimes from the far-right spectrum rose by more than a quarter last year to 145 cases, according to the interior ministry. Opferperspektive, which advises victims of right-wing, racist and antisemitic violence in Brandenburg, faces the possible closure of its Cottbus office due to expiring federal funds. The state government had already ended anti-discrimination counselling for Brandenburg after federal money was withdrawn. Mayor Schick stressed the need for structures and finances to care for victims.
- Two men throw Molotov cocktails at 'Zelle 79' housing project
- Police called to fence fire at nearby 'Chekov' club
- State security and homicide commission launch attempted murder investigation
- Vigil of around 100 people held outside the housing project
- Politicians visit scene and condemn attack
