Five Churches in Leipzig targeted in days
Five churches in the various districts of Leipzig have been vandalised by unknown perpetrators between 21 and 25 October. According to police, doors, windows, and facades of the churches were damaged in the attacks. Due to the similarities between the incidents, police have opened an investigation into malicious damage of property and suspect the cases may be connected, reports state. A pastor from one of the free churches linked the targeting of church buildings to the attacks on Leipzig's 'Stay' Café earlier in the year, saying the intent has taken on "a completely new dimension."
In the days from 21 to 25 October, unknown perpetrators targeted five Free Christian churches in Leipzig, committing property damage to doors, windows, and facades of the buildings.
Between 21 and 23 October, the door of a church on Torgauer Straße was damaged first, followed by the ground-floor window of a church on Georg-Schwarz-Straße in Leipzig-Leutzsch. Further, unknown individuals then damaged several windows of a church on Karlsruher Straße in Grünau-Mitte. Two more churches were damaged between 24 and 25 October where windows and facades of the buildings on Hans-Peoche-Straße and Jacobstraße were found damaged. Reports state police suspect a connection between the five incidents.
Pastor René Wagner, of the free Zeal Church, informed reporting outlets on 25 October, and the police launched an investigation into the incidents.
During the church service on 25 October, Wagner addressed the congregation and put the incident into context by referring to the attacks on the 'Stay' Café in Leipzig (OIDAC, reported), which was also run by the Zeal Church. He stated: "As if 29 attacks on our now-closed cafe weren't enough, now it's continuing at our church buildings in Leipzig" taking on "a completely new dimension." At the same time, he said that he will continue to respond with forgiveness: "We always respond with forgiveness. We will always respond peacefully. But we also defend what has been entrusted to us."
Sources: lvz, jesus.de, medienservice, arbeitskreis
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