Antifa researchers stop arson attack on refugee shelter in Germany
The Exif collective intercepted a 15-year-old with gasoline en route to firebomb a facility in Winsen after police failed to act on chat evidence.
What to know
- An anti-fascist research collective prevented a planned arson attack on a refugee shelter by intercepting a 15-year-old with gasoline en route to the target on October 30.
- Police had conducted a raid and seized phones days earlier but found insufficient evidence to arrest the youth, despite explicit neo-Nazi chat messages documenting the attack plan.
- Exif's intervention and provision of chat evidence to prosecutors enabled charges for preparation of a terrorist act—the actual acquisition of fuel became the material threshold prosecutors needed to act.
Marcello P. 15-year-old attack plannerFabian W. 19-year-old co-conspiratorExif Anti-fascist research collectiveBad Segeberg Police Local law enforcementFlensburg Prosecutor's Office Prosecution authority
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump posts
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Exif publishes chat evidence and raises questions about police response
The Exif collective shared chat logs and transcribed voice messages with police and prosecutors, documenting racist, dehumanizing violent fantasies and concrete attack plans. The evidence raised questions about why police had not acted more decisively despite explicit chat messages indicating imminent preparation.
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Das antifaschistische Rechercheteam Exif stoppte Marcello P. aus dem schleswig-holsteinischen Wahlstedt, als der 15-Jährige dorthin aufbrechen wollte – mit einem frisch gefüllten Benzinkanister 👉️
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Prosecutors charge Marcello P. with preparing terrorist act
The Flensburg prosecutor's office confirmed that the 15-year-old is being held in investigative detention and faces charges for preparation of a terrorist offense. Two members of the Terror 18 group had agreed to carry out the attack. The prosecutor acknowledged that the change in legal status came after Exif alerted authorities to the acquisition of gasoline.
“Mit der Besorgung des Benzins habe sich aber "die Rechtslage verändert"”
— Flensburg prosecutor spokesman -
Die Recherche-Gruppe Exif verhindert einen Brandanschlag in Winsen. Sie hat die Pläne aus einer Terror-Chatgruppe ernster genommen als die Polizei.
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Exif activists intercept Marcello P. with gasoline canister — The Exif research collective confronted Marcello P. as he was leaving with a freshly filled gasoline canister to carry out the arson attack on the refugee shelter in Winsen/Luhe. The activists informed him that his plans were known and instructed him to stay in place until police arrived. Marcello complied and waited for law enforcement.
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Marcello P. arrested with gasoline can — Police apprehended Marcello P. at a house with a gasoline canister, confirming the account provided by Exif activists. The procurement of fuel constituted the material step that changed the legal situation and enabled prosecutors to move forward with charges.
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Marcello P. continues planning attack despite police raid — After the police search, Marcello posted in the Terror 18 chat from a different phone, showing no deterrence. He wrote that he would proceed with the attack regardless of police presence, stating his commitment to the cause.
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Police search Marcello P.'s home and seize phones — Police conducted a raid on the 15-year-old's residence in Wahlstedt and also visited Fabian W., 19, in Winsen, confiscating their mobile phones. However, authorities concluded there was insufficient evidence of preparation for a terrorist act at that time.