Berlin music club firebombed with Nazi symbols found at scene

On the night of March 6-7, 2026, a serious incident occurred in Berlin's Friedrichshain district, which has been classified as a potential politically motivated attack. Unknown perpetrators set fire to a music club located on the grounds of the former tram depot, known as RAW-Gelände. The incident occurred around two o'clock in the morning. The fire department, which arrived on the scene, quickly brought the fire under control, preventing it from spreading to neighboring buildings. Although no one was injured, the club and its infrastructure suffered significant material damage. Particularly disturbing is that the perpetrators left clear Nazi symbols on the wall of the torched building – painted swastikas and the phrase "Heil Hitler." The presence of these signs immediately indicated to law enforcement the possible ideological motives of the crime. As a result, the state protection office (Staatsschutz) has been involved in the investigation alongside Berlin's criminal police (Landeskriminalamt). This is standard procedure in cases where there is suspicion that the act is related to political extremism or poses a threat to the constitutional order. Investigators secured the scene and began searching for the perpetrators and witnesses who could help identify those responsible. The RAW-Gelände, the site of a former tram depot and railway workshops (Reichsbahnausbesserungswerk), has been a symbol of Berlin's alternative cultural scene since the 1990s. Located in the Friedrichshain district, this place has become home to numerous clubs, bars, art galleries, and shops, attracting a mainly young and artistic audience. Its history as a center of independent culture means that attacks on venues located there are seen not only as crimes against property but also as an assault on the pluralistic and open character of the city. The attack on the music club sparked immediate reactions. The local community and politicians expressed concern and condemnation for this act of vandalism and arson. This incident fits into a broader, though fortunately not widespread, picture of sporadic acts of politically motivated violence that occur in various parts of Germany. The state protection office will now analyze whether the perpetrators acted alone or may be linked to some far-right group. So far, no statements claiming responsibility for the attack have appeared. Authorities are appealing to residents for any information that could assist the investigation. Security in the area has been temporarily increased, and owners of other venues in the RAW complex have been informed of the incident and encouraged to remain vigilant.