Unknown people have set around a dozen fires on roundabouts in the Ostallgäu and Oberallgäu districts. In nine cases, hay bales were burned on Monday night, and in three cases car tires were on fire. A coffin and two gallows were also found in the estimated twelve fires, a police spokesman said on Monday. Based on the items, the police assume that it could be a protest in connection with the current political situation.
According to initial media reports, a traffic light made of plywood was found at at least one of the sources of the fire. However, a police spokesman could not confirm this. For weeks, farmers in particular have been demonstrating against the federal government’s agricultural policy and for the continued subsidization of agricultural diesel. In the meantime, other professional groups such as freight forwarders and restaurateurs have also joined the protests. They are demonstrating for a reversal of the truck toll increase, but also for a reversal of the VAT increase in the catering industry.
It is not known whether the fires were started by farmers. When asked by the SZ, a spokeswoman for the Bavarian Farmers’ Association (BBV) stated that the fires had not been reported to the association beforehand. The amount of damage is also currently unknown. The police has started investigation.