Suspected Arson Attack Destroys Car of NIUS Editor Julian Reichelt in Berlin

A suspected arson attack has destroyed the family vehicle of Julian Reichelt, editor-in-chief of the digital news platform NIUS, in Berlin. The vehicle was set on fire in the district of Charlottenburg during the early hours of Friday morning, according to statements made by Reichelt.

Emergency services were dispatched to the location at approximately 3:00 AM. During the firefighting operations, a firefighter suffered minor injuries after being struck by an oncoming car. Authorities reported that the driver of the car initially fled the scene of the collision but was subsequently apprehended by police officers shortly after the incident.

Reichelt reported the destruction of his car on Friday morning during a live broadcast on the NIUS portal. He stated that a neighbor had contacted him via WhatsApp to ask if he required a vehicle, prompting him to look out of his window where he observed the burning car. According to Reichelt, the vehicle was completely destroyed by the fire and could not be restored.

The perpetrator responsible for the act has not yet been apprehended by law enforcement officials. Reichelt described the incident as a targeted and politically motivated attack directly connected to the editorial work carried out by his team at NIUS. He asserted that the suspect must have conducted surveillance over several days to determine which vehicle he drove and where it was regularly parked.

Addressing the public on his broadcast, Reichelt voiced shock at the state of affairs in the country following the incident. He attributed the attack to left-wing extremism within Berlin, characterising it as part of an escalating hostility toward his news organization. Police forces have commenced an investigation into the suspected arson, while search efforts for the perpetrator continue.

Written by Thorben Thiede thorben.thiede@alpineweekly.com