Kassel: Police arrest seven suspects following arson attacks and extortion
Following several arson attacks and extortion cases in Kassel, further suspects have been arrested. A 20-year-old is being held in custody on suspicion of attempted murder.
Arrests following spate of arson attacks
Following several attacks with incendiary devices and extortion cases in Kassel, police have identified seven further suspects and arrested five of them. This was announced by police and the public prosecutor's office on Tuesday. A 20-year-old man is being held in custody.
According to hessenschau.de, the 20-year-old is accused of throwing incendiary devices at two bistros at the end of August and beginning of September respectively. In the second case, investigators are looking into attempted murder. A Molotov cocktail in a glass bottle is said to have been thrown at a group of young men outside a residential building. The incendiary device narrowly missed a 23-year-old and instead hit an electric charging station in the car park.
The suspect is also alleged to be responsible for an arson attack at the end of February in the outdoor area of a restaurant. Police and the public prosecutor's office are also investigating three extortion cases against Kassel business owners, which became known in early September. A 21-year-old who was arrested at that time has also been in custody since then.
The now-arrested suspects include two men aged 19 and 21, who are accused of serving as drivers of the getaway vehicles. According to the investigation, two men aged 20 and 22 with Syrian nationality are acting as alleged instigators of the extortions. Based on current findings, they are in a non-European country. They are said to have commissioned intermediaries, two of whom have been arrested but subsequently released.
For a further arson attack on 12 September at a used car dealership, the public prosecutor's office has offered a reward of 3,000 euros. This fire caused damage of approximately 40,000 euros. Police are searching for further witnesses and possible victims of extortion.
Source: Google News DE — Crime (de)