Overview
- The 2.5‑metre bronze devil by Tim Bengel was unveiled about two weeks ago as a gift for Esslingen’s 1250th anniversary and immediately divided public opinion.
- Police say they are pursuing a handful of cases of threats to life, insults and property damage, and the city reported a concrete murder call against Mayor Matthias Klopfer.
- The regional Kriminalinspektion responsible for Staatsschutzdelikte has joined the probe and officials say no suspects have yet been identified.
- More than 5,600 people have signed an online petition demanding the statue’s removal, but city officials have said the monument will remain on the town‑hall square.
- The statue draws on a local Zwieblinger legend and has the backing of the Evangelical Landeskirche, while the controversy has raised fresh questions about public symbols, local identity and security for municipal leaders.