20-Year-Old Faces Court in Berlin for Series of Arson Attacks

A 20-year-old man is on trial at the Berlin District Court, accused of committing 13 separate incidents of arson, including the ignition of baby strollers and various other items. The young man, identified as a resident of Marzahn, was arrested after a series of nighttime fires that included garbage containers, vehicles, and children's strollers. The prosecution claims that one of the fires even spread to the facade of a nearby daycare center, causing damage.

At the beginning of the trial, the defendant admitted to starting two of the fires, explaining that both incidents followed arguments with his girlfriend. However, he chose to remain silent regarding the other charges. The prosecution has leveled serious accusations against him, including three counts of severe arson, as well as additional charges of arson and property damage. Fortunately, no injuries resulted from these incidents.

The accused has been in custody for five months. Just before his arrest, he allegedly set three fires in a single night in the Fennpfuhl area of Berlin. According to the indictment, the series of arson began on June 19, 2024, when he reportedly ignited paper inside a portable toilet using a lighter, resulting in significant damage to the facility. In early January, he is said to have set five garbage containers ablaze, and in February, he ignited three baby strollers in a high-rise building, one of which was located on the eleventh floor, with two more in flames on the tenth floor shortly afterward.

The defendant had previously been apprehended after the first incident, during which two police officers observed him, leading to an immediate alert to the fire department and a pursuit of the suspect. Despite this, he was released shortly after. During the trial, when questioned about the motivations behind setting the toilet and garbage container on fire following disputes with his girlfriend, the accused stated that he could not explain his actions and had no recollection of them. His defense attorney indicated that he might provide additional statements regarding the remaining allegations in the future.

The court proceedings are set to continue on August 20.