Chinese man detained in Berlin for hurling Molotov cocktails at embassy
- The suspect is believed to have launched the arson attack in ‘protest against the Chinese government’s policy towards minorities’
- The Chinese citizen, 42, was arrested last week after security guards saw him throw flaming devices at the embassy building
A Chinese citizen suspected of throwing Molotov cocktails at his country’s embassy in Berlin to protest Beijing’s treatment of minorities is being held in custody for attempted arson, German prosecutors said on Tuesday.
The 42-year-old man has been detained since March 11 on suspicion of launching an arson attack on the Chinese embassy the previous morning, Berlin state prosecutors said in a statement.
They added that the suspect carried out his action “in order to protest against the Chinese government’s policy towards minorities”.
Prosecutors did not provide further details on the man’s motive, but China has faced growing international criticism for its crackdown on the Muslim Uygur minority in the Xinjiang region.
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Last week, Berlin police reported arresting the suspect after security guards who had witnessed him throw the Molotov cocktails apprehended him at a nearby crossroads.