Right-wing terror | Prison sentence demanded after arson attack

They imagined armed attacks on left-wing neighborhoods. They wanted to rape women just because they wore a sweater with the FC St. Pauli skull symbol. And they spoke openly about how wonderful it would be if there were a real shift to the right in Germany. Because then, the three neo-Nazis ranted, they could "smoke out these filthy tick dens."

When these frank conversations were overheard by the police, the "smoke-out" plan was apparently no longer a mere fantasy of violence. In February 2020, a fire broke out at Bremen's left-wing alternative cultural and youth center "Die Friese," because the trio, affiliated with the now-defunct micro-party "Die Rechte," allegedly set fire there late in the evening, during a concert attended by around 30 people. The fire devastated parts of the center and caused nearly €190,000 in damage.

The late trial has been underway at the Bremen Regional Court since January. Closing arguments began on Monday. And prosecutor Melina Lutz had no doubts about the defendants' guilt or their neo-Nazi motivation. "This isn't a prank," emphasized the prosecutor. "The relatively harmless outcome is only thanks to fortunate circumstances." Because the fire was noticed quickly, all visitors to the "Friese" were able to escape to safety in time. However, some are still struggling with the psychological consequences.

For aggravated arson and grievous bodily harm, the public prosecutor demanded a prison sentence of three years and nine months for Jan E., the main perpetrator. The 29-year-old from Dörverden had traveled to Bremen that day with the intention of committing an arson attack on the youth center in the alternative Steintor district – and had brought neo-Nazi stickers with him specifically for the purpose, which he left at the crime scene. The prosecutor demanded suspended sentences of 19 and 24 months for his two like-minded associates, Dave S. (41) and Nico J. (35), for aiding and abetting. Among other things, they had confessed to being a lookout.

All defendants unanimously stated in court that they had ended up at the "Friese" during a drinking session – but only to pee and play table football. Jan E. then claimed to have accidentally and without realizing it set fire to a jacket while trying to light a cigarette while completely drunk. A version of events that the neo-Nazis had already concocted in their wiretapped conversations. And one that neither the public prosecutor nor the co-plaintiffs believed.

"This turns out to be a preposterous defense narrative," said attorney Nils Dietrich, representing one of the victims of the arson attack. "There is only one reason for the arson: And that is Jan E.'s political views." Like his two co-defendants, he had claimed in court that he hadn't been particularly politically active before that night. This contradicts not only the wiretapped conversations, but also the neo-Nazi memorabilia that was found in his possession.

In addition to a swastika flag, the Imperial War Flag, and Hitler's "Mein Kampf," he possessed a manifesto from the banned neo-Nazi network "Blood & Honour," which preaches militant struggle in small cells. And he had apparently read it. When the topic of political violence came up again during a car ride overheard by the police, Jan E. pontificated: "Then you just have to be a small cell."

For the civil parties, it's clear: this is a case of right-wing terrorism. "The message is clear: Anyone targeted by Nazis shouldn't feel safe," said attorney Lea Voigt. This makes the initial investigation all the more incomprehensible. " For two years, the police gave the victims the impression that they couldn't care less. This puts state security in an extremely bad light."

"This isn't a prank. The relatively harmless outcome is only due to fortunate circumstances."

Melina Lutz Public Prosecutor