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Protest verdict in Riesa: 26-year-old sets fire to Bengalo and confesses!
In the trial against a 26-year-old from Leipzig for protest violence in Riesa, his radicalization and remorse are being discussed.
Protest verdict in Riesa: 26-year-old sets fire to Bengalo and confesses!
There were tumultuous protests against the AfD federal party conference in Riesa in January 2023, which are now continuing in court. On August 16, 2025, a 26-year-old from Leipzig, F., had to answer for physically attacking law enforcement officers during the protests. According to Sächsische.de, F. was among a group of around 800 demonstrators, around 500 of whom broke out, to block access to the city.
The decisive event occurred when F. lit a Bengalo torch and threw it towards a police line. Fortunately, the throw missed, but the dangers of a Bengal fire are enormous: it can reach temperatures of up to 2500 degrees Celsius, which can cause serious injuries. The accusation against F. includes not only physical assault, but also attempted grievous bodily harm.
Legal dispute and insight
At the court hearing, the defendant appeared without his lawyer, but decided to make a confession. F. stated that he experienced radicalization during the journey with the protest group. When he was arrested, the officers not only found the Bengalo torch, but also fireworks, firecrackers and a balaclava in his possession. F. appeared remorseful and regretted his behavior towards the police officers.
The judge saw the crime as a result of the group dynamics and recognized that F. had already been convicted of grievous bodily harm in the past. The verdict was ultimately lenient: F. received 10 months of probation. This gives him a second chance, even if the judge questioned his remorse.
The background to the protests
The protests against the AfD last year were met with great interest and a variety of reactions in German society. Demonstrators from different social classes came together to protest against the AfD's political agenda, which also led to a lot of media coverage. The events in Riesa are therefore not just a local matter, but represent a larger debate about social participation and political expressions.
In the discussion about radicalization and violence in the context of protests, it has become clear that such incidents cannot be viewed in isolation. The group dynamics that arise in such situations can play a worrying role, and it remains to be seen how these developments will change in the future.