Arson trial verdict for two photographers delayed again

The verdict in the trial of two photographers accused of multiple counts of arson has been delayed once more, now scheduled for August 25. This postponement at the Dessau-Roßlau Regional Court is attributed to previous disruptions, including a defendant's illness, which led to canceled hearings. This week, additional witnesses were heard, and a further request for evidence must still be processed, according to a court spokesperson.

The prosecution alleges that the two men set fire to forest areas and storage halls in the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district and surrounding regions. They are accused of intentionally creating conditions that would allow fires to spread quickly, hindering firefighting efforts and potentially endangering emergency personnel. The damages from these fires are estimated to be in the mid-to-high six-figure range.

The photographers were arrested in September 2025 after being apprehended by officers near a fire in a vacant train station building in Raguhn. Authorities believe the men sold photos and videos of the incidents to newspapers and other media outlets, earning an estimated mid-four-figure sum. The presumption of innocence applies until a legally binding verdict is reached.