Molotov Attack on Cottbus Alternative Project Prompts State Security Probe

Investigators say the act is being treated as a right‑wing motivated attempt at arson and murder, signaling calls for tougher punishments and more funding for democracy education.

Overview

Two men threw Molotov cocktails at the alternative housing project Zelle 79 in Cottbus while a fence slat at the nearby club Chekov also burned and a resident filmed two black‑clad youths fleeing the scene.
State security police (Staatsschutz) and the homicide unit are investigating on suspicion of attempted murder and attempted arson and have identified two male suspects aged about 15 to 20 without reporting any arrests.
Civic and political leaders including Mayor Tobias Schick, Minister‑President Dietmar Woidke and Finance Minister Daniel Keller visited the site, condemned the suspected right‑wing violence and demanded swift, hard penalties.
Around 100 people joined a vigil called by the initiative Sichere Orte Südbrandenburg to show support for Zelle 79 and to push back against intimidation of alternative projects.
Authorities and local officials said the attack follows earlier threats to the project, called for faster prosecution, and stressed stronger prevention and democracy education to curb youth radicalization.