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Darmstadt Prosecutors Probe Student Over Hamas-Linked Posts After Fake Gun Photo on Campus

University actions included notifying investigators followed by a ban that now covers replica weapons.

Overview

  • A 23-year-old Hochschule Darmstadt student is under investigation on suspicion of incitement to hatred after social-media posts linked to Hamas imagery.
  • The university says staff discovered an Instagram image showing the student with a roughly 50 cm imitation weapon inside a campus building and alerted authorities.
  • Prosecutors say the photo does not violate weapons law, but they are examining potential hate-speech offenses related to the student's political content.
  • The student apologized in a meeting with university officials and said the photo was part of a TikTok challenge, with no real threat intended.
  • Her account has since been restricted, and local media report she is associated with the group Hochschule for Palestine, which has faced criticism for anti-Israel messaging.