A fire broke out on Wednesday at a building in the eastern German city of Halle (Saale) that houses the constituency office of Dr Karamba Diaby, an SPD Member of the Federal Parliament. The police suspects that the fire was deliberately set and a suspected perpetrator has been arrested.

According to reports, witnesses noticed flames at the building in Große Märkerstraße late on Wednesday evening and alerted the emergency services. They reportedly saw a suspicious man in front of the house and detained him until the police arrived. The 55-year-old is in custody, according to the police. The fire brigade extinguished the fire after a short time but not before damaging the entrance door and the floor in the entrance area of the house.

“The act outrages and angers me very much. And also because the alleged perpetrator is already known to me as well as to the police,” Dr Karamba Diaby said in a statement.

“I have filed several criminal complaints against him for numerous offences (including racist insults). I expect that the investigations will lead quickly and consistently to reliable results,” the only MP of African origin in the current Bundestag added.

“As in the past, I will not be intimidated. My office will continue to be an open meeting place and a safe workplace for my team. As a member of parliament directly elected by more than 42,000 citizens of Halle, I know that the people of this city strongly support me,” Diaby said. “I thank the courageous passers-by for their quick intervention – it was the only way to prevent something worse!”

The incident has been condemned by prominent leaders in the country.

The SPD chairperson Saskia Esken expressed her horror and she described the incident as a “cowardly attack”, adding that it was an “attack on local democracy that requires the strong condemnation of all democrats”.

Saxony-Anhalt’s Minister President Reiner Haseloff has also condemned the arson. “Attacks on the offices of politicians and democratic institutions are intended to contribute to the uncertainty of those in positions of responsibility as well as the population,” said the CDU politician. He called for the quick completion of investigations and that the perpetrator should be brought to justice.