Police in Hamburg have launched an investigation after the car of AfD parliamentary group manager Bernd Baumann was set on fire early Monday morning. Hours later, a post on a far-left website Indymedia appeared to claim responsibility for the attack, saying it was carried out by members of the Antifa network.
Authorities said residents in the Othmarschen district were awakened around 3:20 am by loud bangs before noticing flames coming from a BMW parked on the street. Firefighters quickly responded, but the vehicle was already engulfed in flames. Baumann was informed of the incident around 5 am by state security officials, who are now handling the case.
The group’s statement, uploaded to Indymedia at 3:27 pm, began with the words “Feurige Grüße an die Angeklagten, Eingeknasteten und untergetauchten Antifas” (“Fiery greetings to the accused, imprisoned, and underground Antifas”) and claimed responsibility for destroying Baumann’s vehicle “with an incendiary device.”
The post also included a direct threat: “All you damn MAGA freaks, you will follow Kirk to hell!” The message appeared to reference the recent assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, drawing a connection between American conservative politics and the German right.
According to the post, the perpetrators accused “those in power” of trying to “set new standards,” suggesting the attack was a response to what they called state oppression.
Police have confirmed that state security, the branch responsible for politically motivated crimes, is leading the investigation. So far, no suspects have been identified.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them at 040/4286-56789.
Officials say the arson is being treated as a politically motivated act. The AfD, Germany’s right-wing opposition party, has faced a series of similar attacks in recent years targeting its members’ homes, offices, and vehicles.
Authorities said residents in the Othmarschen district were awakened around 3:20 am by loud bangs before noticing flames coming from a BMW parked on the street. Firefighters quickly responded, but the vehicle was already engulfed in flames. Baumann was informed of the incident around 5 am by state security officials, who are now handling the case.
The group’s statement, uploaded to Indymedia at 3:27 pm, began with the words “Feurige Grüße an die Angeklagten, Eingeknasteten und untergetauchten Antifas” (“Fiery greetings to the accused, imprisoned, and underground Antifas”) and claimed responsibility for destroying Baumann’s vehicle “with an incendiary device.”
The post also included a direct threat: “All you damn MAGA freaks, you will follow Kirk to hell!” The message appeared to reference the recent assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, drawing a connection between American conservative politics and the German right.
According to the post, the perpetrators accused “those in power” of trying to “set new standards,” suggesting the attack was a response to what they called state oppression.
Police have confirmed that state security, the branch responsible for politically motivated crimes, is leading the investigation. So far, no suspects have been identified.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them at 040/4286-56789.
Officials say the arson is being treated as a politically motivated act. The AfD, Germany’s right-wing opposition party, has faced a series of similar attacks in recent years targeting its members’ homes, offices, and vehicles.
