Vandalismus in Aken: Jugendliche verbrennen Anne Franks Tagebuch

In Aken, Anhalt-Bitterfeld, three teenagers, aged 15 and 16, were witnessed burning a copy of Anne Frank’s diary at a bus stop. The act was reported to the police by onlookers. The police arrived to find the remnants of the book in a nearby trash bin. The incident, which occurred on a Wednesday, was made public by authorities the following day. Due to their age, details about the teenagers and their backgrounds were not disclosed.

The youths, being over 14, are legally responsible for their actions. They were taken home to their parents, and authorities are investigating the incident as a case of incitement to hatred. The Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, Reiner Haseloff, expressed shock at the news, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation and a united societal stance against antisemitism. He highlighted the importance of parents and the community taking decisive action in such matters.

This event draws parallels to the book burning in Pretzien in 2006, where a similar incident sparked national outrage. At that time, initial police response was inadequate, with two officers admitting ignorance about Anne Frank and her diary. Following a delayed investigation, five members of a far-right heritage association were given probationary sentences for their involvement in organizing the event. The past incident serves as a stark reminder of the need to confront and address antisemitism in all its forms.