AfD member admits to setting fire to own car, faking threats

In Germany, a member of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has admitted to setting fire to his own car and attempting to blame left-wing extremist groups.

According to Spiegel, citing the Middle Franconia Police Department, the man also forged a threatening letter supposedly from the left-wing extremist group Antifa and created graffiti allegedly directed against him. Analysis of the letter revealed a striking similarity to his handwriting.

The executive committee of Middle Franconia has decided to expel the man from the party. The state arbitration court will make the final decision.

Initially, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution investigated the arson as a potentially politically motivated crime, but the investigation yielded no results.

In early February, the AfD had described the incident as a “cowardly attack” on the party. The party now says the man’s actions misled members, damaged its reputation, and caused financial losses.

By Vugar Khalilov