Young man arrested after destroying property in Friesoythe Church
In what has been described as a destructive rage, a 25-year-old man damaged several objects in the St.-Marien-Kirche in Friesoythe the evening of June 22. He caused significant property damage, including damage to the church organ and religious art depicting the way of the cross.
The church of St. Marien in Friesoythe has been closed after a 25-year-old perpetrator went into what reports say were a "destructive rage" on the evening of 22 June. According to reports, the perpetrator was found immediately and handed over to the police for property damage to the church interior. Police are looking for further witnesses who can comment on the behaviour of the individual and the extent of damage caused, including severe damage to the mechanics of the church pipe organ and destruction of paintings depicting the way of the cross.
St. Marien is considered historically, culturally, and architecturally significant to the community of Friesoythe, and its vandalism follows a series of incidents in the region, showing the importance of competent security measures to protect sites of heritage.
Since the incident, an examination of the church instrument has discovered the extent of the damage which organ experts say will be a complex repair. This discovery leaves St. Marien without a church organ for its worship services for at least a quarter of the year.
Source: cloppenburgerexpress, nwzonline, nwzonline