In the early hours of November 3, a vehicle belonging to Bernd Baumann, a senior politician from Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, was deliberately set ablaze in Hamburg’s Othmarschen district. The incident occurred around 3:20 AM, disrupting residents with loud explosions and flames visible on the street. Firefighters later discovered four burning vehicles, including a BMW owned by Baumann’s partner. State security officials informed Baumann of the attack at approximately 5:00 AM, though no suspects have been identified despite an extensive investigation.
Hours after the incident, far-left Antifa groups claimed responsibility via a post on Indymedia, stating, “All you damn’ MAGAfreaks [sic], you will follow [Charlie] Kirk to hell!” The statement referenced Charlie Kirk, founder of the U.S.-based Turning Point USA, who was assassinated earlier in 2025. The attack has intensified concerns about politically motivated violence targeting AfD members across Germany, with similar incidents reported in multiple cities this year.
The State Security Service has taken over the investigation, focusing on potential links to extremist activities. While no direct evidence of involvement by Antifa has been disclosed, their admission has fueled debates over rising tensions between far-left and right-wing groups in the region.
