A Christian-run café in Leipzig has announced its closure after reporting 26 attacks over two and a half years, including vandalism, graffiti and a butyric acid incident. The operators attribute the incidents to left-wing extremist perpetrators and cite repeated damage and financial losses as the reason for closing.
The café “Stay”, operated by an evangelical free church, Zeal Church, will close at the end of June after what its operators describe as 26 attacks over approximately two and a half years.
The incidents are attributed by the operators to “left-wing extremist” groups. Reported acts include graffiti with political slogans, smashed windows, property damage and a butyric acid attack that rendered parts of the premises unusable and caused significant repair costs. The article also cites slogans that were reportedly sprayed on doors or exterior windows, including “Abort Fundis” and “Don’t stay, be gay”.
The most severe incident cited was a butyric acid attack around Christmas 2025, with estimated damages of around €20,000. The operators also report repeated closures and loss of income due to ongoing damage and disruptions.
The church's Pastor René Wagner stated: “Hatred towards Christians is on the rise in Europe. More and more churches are being targeted.”
At the same time, he rejects any response driven by anger or resentment: “We are not fighting back,” he said, and underlined that the aim was to assert our rights, to hold the perpetrators of these acts to account and to make it clear that such attacks endanger social cohesion.
He also expressed disappointment with the response from city authorities as the situation had not been adequately addressed. The city of Leipzig is referenced as having acknowledged the incidents but did not publicly condemn them or acknowledge the religious freedom dimension of the attacks.
Despite the closure of the café, the congregation states that its wider church activities will continue.