Mentally ill man admitted after arson attack on synagogue in Oldenburg

Mentally ill man admitted after arson attack on synagogue in Oldenburg

A dramatic case has caused a stir in the Oldenburg regional court. A 28-year-old who was accused of an arson attack on the synagogue in Oldenburg will have to be accommodated in a psychiatric facility in the future. The verdict was made on June 16, 2025 and stated that the man was not guilty at the time of the crime. The reason for his actions was not a political background, but rather an acute psychological attack that was triggered by the consumption of cannabis and discontinuation of his medication NDR reported.

According to the investigation, the incident occurred in April 2024, when the man attacked the front door of the synagogue with a homemade Molotov cocktail. Luckily the door didn't catch fire, just a lot of soot. Despite his mental illness, which he had suffered for several years, he spoke of a religious madness that drove him to this act. He was convinced that he had to convert the Jewish community because he believed that they would not worship Jesus and would therefore suffer after death.

Mental illness and incapacity

During the negotiations, the 28-year-old admitted that he acted because of his paranoid schizophrenia and the voices he heard. His apology to the head of the Jewish community highlighted the extent of his mental health problems. The prosecution had accused him of attempted aggravated arson, but the court concluded that he could not be held responsible due to his mental state South German newspaper reported.

This case caused shock throughout the country. Initially there were fears of a political background, which prompted the police to form a special investigative group led by the State Security Service. What was particularly captivating was that the case was also discussed in the ZDF program “Aktenzeichen XY … Unsolved”, which led to the man’s arrest in January 2025.

Reactions and social context

The conviction was accompanied by a nationwide discussion about anti-Semitism, which repeatedly comes into the spotlight in Germany. The number of anti-Semitic incidents has been increasing for several years, according to an analysis by Statista shows. In 2022, over 2,600 anti-Semitic crimes were registered in Germany, including social agitation, damage to property and attacks.

In order to take a stand against this growing anti-Semitism, a citizens' alliance organized a “silent vigil for humanity and tolerance” in Oldenburg. The initiative is a call to everyone to take a stand against anti-Semitic statements and prejudices and to advocate for respectful coexistence.