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🇩🇪 Germany /Crime & Justice

Arson of cold bus: 43-year-old confesses in court

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • A 43-year-old man confessed in court to setting fire to a Berlin "cold bus" used to help the homeless.
  • The incident occurred on New Year's Day 2026, causing approximately 70,000 euros in damages.
  • The accused claims he has been pursued for years and acted to draw attention to his alleged pursuers, while prosecutors seek his psychiatric commitment.

A 43-year-old man has confessed to arson charges at the Berlin Regional Court for setting fire to a "cold bus" that provided services to homeless individuals.

I have been pursued for 23 years, 'persons' watch me and also physically attack me.

— The accusedThe defendant explains his alleged motive for the arson, claiming he is a victim of long-term persecution.

The incident took place on New Year's Day 2026 when the man allegedly doused the engine area of a Berlin City Mission cold bus with flammable liquid and ignited it, causing an estimated 70,000 euros in damages. This act followed two other suspected arson attacks on cold buses shortly before Christmas 2025.

I wanted to achieve with the arson that the police and the court deal with the 'pursuers'.

— The accusedThe defendant further elaborates on his reasons for setting fire to the cold bus.

During the trial, the accused stated that he has felt persecuted for 23 years by "persons" who he claims have been watching and physically attacking him. He asserted that his motive for the arson was to compel police and the court to investigate these alleged pursuers. Prosecutors are seeking his indefinite placement in a psychiatric hospital, citing indications of severe mental illness that may have rendered him legally insane.

As I approached, I saw flames.

— City Mission employeeA witness describes the moment he realized the bus was on fire.

A witness, an employee of the City Mission, recounted seeing the man with a canister near the bus on a parking lot in Berlin-Moabit, followed by sparks and flames. The employee managed to subdue the suspect with the help of two security guards. The 43-year-old was arrested and initially held in custody before being moved to a psychiatric hospital. The trial is scheduled to continue for two more days until August 13.

He had poured liquid accelerant over the engine hood of a cold bus of the Berlin City Mission and ignited it with a lighter.

— Prosecution (implied)The prosecution details the method used in the arson attack.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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