An influencer who shot fireworks at an apartment during New Year's celebrations has been remanded to custody following his arrest at Berlin's Brandenburg Airport. Atallah Younes, a 23-year-old from the West Bank, was taken by police on Saturday as he tried to leave Germany, where he had been vacationing. The Berlin prosecutor's office spokesperson, Michael Petzold, confirmed the arrest and stated a warrant was issued due to the risk of flight, as the man lacked residency status in Germany.
Younes faces serious charges, including attempted arson, attempted dangerous bodily injury, and property damage. The authorities suspect him of deliberately endangering lives to garner attention through illegal actions. "His goal was to reach as large an audience as possible by committing crimes," Petzold noted. Each charge carries stiff penalties, with arson carrying at least one year of imprisonment and dangerous bodily injury at least six months.
The incident, which unfolded on New Year's Eve, was captured on video and widely disseminated across social media platforms before Younes later deleted it. The footage shows him lighting the firework and directing it toward the multi-family residence. The rocket flew through a window, exploding inside and damaging furniture. Fortunately, the 33-year-old tenant and his family were safe, quickly managing to extinguish the resulting fire.
Describing the event, Younes claimed it was not his intention to hurt anyone. Appearing distressed about the consequences of his actions, he stated, "I didn’t mean to harm anyone on purpose. I’m sorry for what I did." He expressed confusion about the investigations, arguing, "What does the police want from me? Do they think I'm a refugee?" He affirmed he was simply visiting Germany and had planned to return home soon.
While courts have taken a stern stance, viewing Younes's actions as reckless and potentially life-threatening, his legal representatives are preparing to contest the warrant. An application for review of the custody ruling is expected, and it will be up to the judge to determine whether he will remain behind bars.
The response from Berlin’s legal officials has been firm. Justice Senator Felor Badenberg stated, "We will not tolerate reckless and hazardous behavior putting lives at risk. Those responsible must face criminal consequences.” The Union of Police also commented, deeming the arrest important for public safety and law enforcement credibility.
This case highlights issues concerning social media influence, accountability, and the lengths some individuals may go to attain fame. The authorities are likely to approach the case with rigorous enforcement of existing laws, underscoring the serious ramifications of thoughtless actions, particularly amid celebratory events.
Despite the serious nature of his actions, Younes has found himself at the center of online debates, with many netizens expressing both outrage and support. His rapid rise to notoriety exemplifies today’s challenge of separating genuine behavior from the quest for likes and views. Much broader issues about personal responsibility and behavior online continue to be pertinent today.
The case will likely be one to watch as it deals with several important themes concerning influencer culture, legal accountability, and the balance between personal freedom and public safety.