Crime - Nativity figures beheaded in Rüsselsheim: police investigate
Unknown perpetrators have decapitated the life-size figures of a nativity scene in Rüsselsheim. Some of the polystyrene figures had their hands cut off and were knocked over. A passer-by reported the destruction of the nativity figures on the market square early on Sunday morning, a police spokesman said on Monday. All the figures in the nativity scene - from the baby Jesus to the Three Wise Men and the donkey - were affected. The police are investigating damage to property. They are also investigating the question of whether a possible religious background played a role in the crime, the spokesman said.
The Rüsselsheim Trade Association of 1888, the donor of the nativity scene, spoke on Facebook of a "headless night" and a "macabre joke" and explained: "Despite the regrettable incident, we would like to try to face this situation with humor and use the Christmas story as an analogy for solidarity and cohesion." Other users reacted with great incomprehension. "Why are you playing this down like this?" was one of the comments. The police also consider the trade association's handling of the crime to be strange, as the spokesperson said. It is a criminal offense, even if the material damage is difficult to quantify. Should it turn out that there were religious motives for the crime, it would be "even more reprehensible", said the spokesperson.
Figures from the nativity scene had already been damaged in previous years. However, it later transpired that the damage was due to age. In the current case, however, it was a "deliberate act". The police asked for witnesses to contact the police in Rüsselsheim.
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The damage to the nativity scene in Rüsselsheim during Christmas is being investigated by the local police as a case of criminal damage to property. Despite the strange handling of the incident by the Rüsselsheim Trade Association, the police consider it important for witnesses to come forward. If religious motives are found to have played a role, the crime would be considered even more reprehensible.
Given the previous history of damage to nativity figures in Rüsselsheim, the police are now investigating whether this latest incident represents an escalation in criminality in the region of Hesse.
Following the crime, there has been controversy over the Rüsselsheim Trade Association's response on Facebook, with some users expressing dismay at the association's attempt to downplay the severity of the crime and find humor in the situation. It remains to be seen how the police will proceed with their investigation and whether any charges will be brought.
Source: www.stern.de
