The investigation into an antisemitic arson attack on a Jewish community building in Munich, Germany in 1970, which resulted in the deaths of seven people, has concluded with a new outcome after 56 years.
Jnews.az reports that the Munich Public Prosecutor’s Office and Bavarian police concluded as a result of investigations that the attack was committed by right-wing extremist Bernd W. Since the suspect died in 2020, it is not possible to press charges against him in the criminal case. Law enforcement agencies state that the evidence pointing to his guilt is significant.
The incident occurred on February 13, 1970, at 27 Reichenbach Street in Munich, in the building of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria. The building housed a nursing home and a guest house. The attacker used gasoline to set a fire in the staircase. As a result, seven people died and 15 were injured, four of them in serious condition. All of the deceased were Holocaust survivors.
The investigation was reopened in April 2025 following a new witness statement. Citing a relative who had close ties to Bernd W. at the time, the witness stated that shortly before the incident, the suspect was near the Jewish nursing home and spoke of his intention to set Jews on fire. Approximately 15 minutes after this conversation, a fire broke out in the building.
During the investigation, it was established that Bernd W. held antisemitic and neo-Nazi views. It was reported that he was known for his obsession with Adolf Hitler and had previously come to the attention of law enforcement for various crimes, including explosions against telephone booths.
According to the Munich Public Prosecutor’s Office, investigative authorities concluded that Bernd W. carried out the attack alone. No concrete evidence of involvement of other individuals was obtained. However, because the suspect died in 2020, he cannot stand trial, and legally no conviction has been issued against him.
Note that the criminal case was closed without results in 2017 by Germany’s Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office. After obtaining new information in 2025, the investigation was reopened.
Source: cursorinfo.co.il
