Significant Damage Caused to Two Churches in Chemnitz; Organist Threatened
A 24-year-old Pakistani man was arrested on April 21st after a police investigation of significant damage in the Markuskirche in Chemnitz. The asylum seeker allegedly entered the night before and broke candlesticks, destroyed various bronze objects and several candles, and damaged the altar and the pulpit cover. A window was also destroyed and there was damage both in the sanctuary and the basement of the church. Damage was estimated to exceed 10,000 euros. Two days later, on April 23rd, he was again arrested after throwing stones at the windows of the Petrikirche church, causing about 3,000 euros in damage.
After his arrest on April 21st, the suspect was released shortly thereafter. The police reported that his actions were not due to a religious motive, but rather due to a mental health problem. However, two days after his release, he chose another church to vandalize. After throwing stones at the outer windows, he forced his way into the building. Once inside he met the 50-year-old organist. The attacker demanded his phone and then broke it. During his arrest inside the church, he strongly resisted and injured one of the officers.
After the second attack and the threats to the organist, the district court issued a so-called "accommodation order" to take the man to a psychiatric unit.
Sources: Tag 24, Blick, Radio Chemnitz and Tag 24
Photo by Andreas Praefcke; CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
