Politicians in Lower Saxony are appalled: During the open day at the state parliament in Hanover, unknown persons defaced the building with extremist slogans. The police are investigating.
Unknown vandals smeared Islamist slogans on the state parliament in Hanover last night – and thereby acted in the most public way possible. The incident occurred directly before today’s open day in the state parliament, where the parliament is expecting visitors with a wide-ranging program. The day will still take place as planned, emphasized State Parliament President Hanna Naber of the SPD. “This incident will not dissuade us from that.”
“The state parliament building was defaced with political slogans and symbols of a radical Islamist terrorist organization,” said Naber. “I condemn this act in the strongest possible terms.” According to a spokesman, the slogans included “Free Gaza.” The state parliament administration immediately began removing the slogans.
Politicians appalled by Islamist graffiti
According to reports, the crime took place between 3 and 4 a.m. Unknown people painted the slogans in red. The police have secured evidence and begun investigations. Internal investigations by the state parliament have also begun. “We will do everything we can to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice,” said Naber. “The Lower Saxony state parliament stands for democratic debate and – despite all the disputes on the matter – for fair treatment of one another.”
CDU opposition leader Sebastian Lechner was appalled. “We strongly condemn the graffiti on the state parliament with ‘Free Gaza’ slogans,” said the parliamentary group leader. “Such illegal acts damage democratic discourse and disregard the respect that our parliament deserves. Vandalism is not only a criminal offense, but an attack on our democracy and the open exchange of opinions that our parliament symbolizes.”
The co-chair of the Greens in the state parliament, Anne Kura, described the graffiti as “a huge mess”. She hopes that those responsible will be quickly identified and brought to justice. “Anyone who smears symbols of terrorist organisations on the buildings of democratic institutions is also attacking democracy itself.”
Its co-chairman Detlev Schulz-Hendel called for consequences in terms of security measures and an improvement in building protection. But, the Green politician added: “We will not allow such attacks to destroy the concept of a fundamentally open house.”
Source: Stern
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