The state parliament of Lower Saxony in the northern city of Hanover was vandalized with Islamist slogans and symbols on Friday night.
The perpetrators, believed to be Muslim radicals, targeted the building in what appears to be a retaliatory attack against the German state’s recent actions.
According to a statement by parliamentary president Hanna Naber, the vandals “smeared political slogans and symbols of a radical Islamist terrorist organization” on the building between 3 am and 4 am.
Naber strongly condemned the act, saying, “I condemn this act in the strongest possible terms.”
The incident occurs amidst rising tensions over extremism and radicalization in Germany.
Recently, several Islamic centers have been shut down, and some members have been ordered to leave the country.
Despite the incident, the state parliament’s open day will proceed as planned. Naber assured, “This incident will not deter us.”
The authorities have secured evidence and launched an investigation, with the state parliament also conducting an internal probe.
“We will do everything we can to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. The Lower Saxony state parliament stands for democratic debate,” said Naber.