June 12, 2026

Göttingen: 18-Year-Old Charged After Throwing a Firecracker at Pride Participants

Following a firework thrown at attendees of the Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Göttingen last year, the public prosecutor’s office has filed charges against an 18-year-old for bodily harm. Because the defendant was still a minor at the time of the act, a juvenile court must decide whether the case will be handled under juvenile criminal law.
The accused is alleged to have thrown an illegal fireworks device toward a group of about ten people. They remained near the venue after the CSD had ended. The firework is said to be a powerful pyrotechnic device whose use is permitted only for professionals.
In the incident in August 2025, three people were injured, one person needed hospital treatment (TheColu.mn reported). The Göttingen CSD association and the Queer Center Göttingen had sharply criticized the police last year for downplaying the alleged anti-queer motivation of the act in their public communications (TheColu.mn reported). (mize)

Marcy Ellerton
Marcy Ellerton
My name is Marcy Ellerton, and I’ve been telling stories since I could hold a pen. As a queer journalist based in Minneapolis, I cover everything from grassroots activism to the everyday moments that make our community shine. When I’m not chasing a story, you’ll probably find me in a coffee shop, scribbling notes in a well-worn notebook and eavesdropping just enough to catch the next lead.