Nazi smears in Heiligensee: 18 cars and cemetery defaced!

Nazi smears in Heiligensee: 18 cars and cemetery defaced!

Berlin-Heiligensee, Deutschland - Last week there was a worrying increase in vandalism in Berlin-Heiligensee. At the weekend, 18 vehicles in Elchdamm and Wesselburer Weg were smeared with black color. These smearings included swastika and the lettering NSDAP. A passer -by discovered the smearings on Sunday morning and informed the police, who subsequently started the investigation. The state security, responsible for politically motivated crimes, is now investigating because of the use of indictments of unconstitutional organizations and property damage. rbb24 reports that the reasons for the selection of the smeared vehicles are also part of the investigation.

But not only cars were the target of the smearings. Employees of the Reinickendorfer street and green space office recently also discovered the same Nazi symbols in the Heiligensee cemetery. A total of 41 defaces with swastikas and the lettering NSDAP were found in white color. These incidents were also reported to the police. The district office has already initiated the cleaning of the objects concerned. District Mayor Emine Demirbüken-Wegner was shaken by vandalism and emphasized the respect for the dead. raz-Zeitung District City Councilor Julia Schrod-Thiel has convicted the incident and emphasizes the importance of the cemetery as a place of commemoration.

growing concern about anti -Semitism

These events are part of a worrying trend. According to the research and information center anti-Semitism (RIAS), there was an increase in anti-Semitic property damage in Berlin in the first half of 2024. 21 incidents were reported during this period, while it was only 18 throughout 2023. Mostly these are smearings and damage to memorials as well as stumbling blocks that are often the goal of vandalism. rbb24 noted that after the terrorist attack of Hamas on Israel in October 2023 there was an increase in anti -Semitic incidents.

The repeated vandalism at cemeteries and memorials raises serious questions about social tolerance towards such extremist attitudes. In view of the current incidents, increased surveillance and security measures are all the more urgent. raz-Zeitung and political actors are increasingly demanding measures to protect and respect for to ensure the victims of the past.