Mosque sign in Penzberg defaced again – 23-year-old arrested in the act
A 23-year-old sprayed the Friday prayer notice sign in Penzberg at night with paint spray – two patrol units observed him in the act.
Suspect arrested for vandalism of mosque notice sign
Police in Penzberg (Weilheim-Schongau district) have provisionally arrested a 23-year-old man who is believed to have sprayed the notice sign for Islamic Friday prayers with paint spray at night. According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, two patrol units observed the man committing the act. As he attempted to flee on an e-bike, officers brought him to the ground. Criminal police subsequently took over the investigation.
The sign had been defaced multiple times over the past few weeks, most recently in the week before the arrest. The three most recently affected signs were secured by police. In none of the previous cases had a suspect been identified up to that point.
The city of Penzberg had decided to place a sign for the Friday prayers of the Islamic community at the town entrances alongside notice signs for Catholic and Protestant services. According to Imam Benjamin Idriz, this practice is unique nationwide. The Islamic community reported that they had received numerous threats and hate messages in connection with the project, but also recorded expressions of solidarity.
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung