Arson to Statue of John the Baptist from the Barock Period

Case information

Incident date: Sep 17, 2020
Country: Germany
Place: Geinsheim
Categories: Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against: Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators: Private
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents: Arson
Vandalism (all)
Vandalism of Church
Religious Freedom / Discrimination: Censorship or Removal of Public Christian Symbols
Place of Incident: Church
Bias Indicators: Comments/Written Statements/Gestures/Graffiti
Pattern or Frequency of Attacks
Significance of Property/Structure/Location to religious community
Reported to Police: Yes
Response of Local Authorities: Investigated

Symbolic image; not a photograph of the reported incident.Image credit: Janosch Diggelmann on Unsplash

On 17th September, members of the church found the figure of John the Baptist of the baptismal font from the barock period damaged by a burning candle. The perpetrator placed it on purpose. The police estimates a damage cost of 2000 euros. Police is asking for witnesses.

"My faith and values are hurt after such an incident," says Michael Paul, member of the church.

Sources