Arson in Groß Strömkendorf: BGH overturns acquittal!

Arson in Groß Strömkendorf: BGH overturns acquittal!

Things are literally bubbling in Groß Strömkendorf. On November 24, 2025, the Federal Court of Justice overturned the acquittal of Nick P., who was charged with arson at a refugee shelter in October 2022. As the Ostsee-Zeitung reports, the case has now been referred back to another criminal chamber of the Schwerin Regional Court due to serious procedural errors. In particular, the court's insufficient evidence was a central point of criticism from the BGH. Nick P. had exercised his right to refuse to testify during the trial and contradicted himself several times, which called into question the credibility of his statements.

The firefighters from Blowatz, in whose ranks Nick P. was active, had already become suspicious during the first negotiations. Cell phone data suggested he was in the immediate area at the time of the fires, further fueling the investigation. 17 people who lived in the former refugee shelter “Schäfereck” had to flee the burning building that night. Luckily everyone was able to save themselves, but the building was completely destroyed. It is shocking to hear that the series of fires in the region caused a total loss of over eight million euros.

A circumstantial trial without clear evidence

As the NDR's reporting adds, the case is under a particularly dark star. Nick P. is not only associated with the fire in the refugee shelter, but also with at least six other fires in the region. The public prosecutor demanded seven and a half years in prison for the aggravated arson, but the evidence is complicated. According to the defense attorney, the evidence is not sufficient for a verdict. The court even released Nick P. from custody in July 2023 because there was no longer any urgent suspicion of a crime.

The investigation methods included cell phone tracking, GPS data and chat histories, which paints the picture of a complex circumstantial process. The fact that a xenophobic background was previously suspected made the story even more charged. Fellow firefighters had already expressed concerns about Nick P. due to his behavior during operations, which further fueled the controversial discussion about the motive for the fires.

The long road to enlightenment

The Nick P. case impressively shows how quickly rumors and suspicions can spread in a small community. District Administrator Tino Schomann expressed the hope that the series of fires that have rocked the region in recent months will be resolved soon. The public prosecutor's investigation has not yet been completed and Nick P.'s current whereabouts remain a mystery.

Recently, the discussion about the safety of refugee accommodation in Germany has increased. Reports of arson in refugee accommodation are increasing. As an article on the criminal law blogger makes clear, such arsons can lead to serious criminal offenses in accordance with Sections 306 ff. of the Criminal Code. An example from another trial makes it clear that the destruction caused by arson can be lasting, making the laws manifested in the relevant penalties noteworthy.

The case in Groß Strömkendorf remains visible to the public, and it remains to be hoped that – regardless of the verdict – clarity will soon emerge as to how these devastating incidents could have occurred.

To find out more about the background and the process, read the reports Baltic Sea newspaper, des NDR and des Criminal law blogger.