Image source: Instagram @atallah.younes.31
Influencer sets off fireworks in the house - court speaks of "willful recklessness"
Berlin-Neukölln, New Year's Eve: Instead of firecrackers and champagne, a Berlin resident had fireworks thrown directly into his bedroom. Responsible: influencer Attalah Younes (23) - famous online, now convicted of criminal damage in real life.
The Berlin district court found it proven that Younes had deliberately shot a New Year's Eve rocket into a window. The video of his action went viral - the damage was real. The result: 6 months probation. However, the charges of attempted aggravated arson and attempted grievous bodily harm were dropped.
Open fire for clicks: Rocket Rambo as an Internet phenomenon
The crime sounds like something out of a bad internet prank - unfortunately with real risk. On New Year's Eve, Younes aimed a rocket at a multi-storey house, hit a closed window, smashed through it and the rocket exploded in the bedroom of a 54-year-old resident. The bed and wallpaper were on fire, but no one was injured - a miracle.
Instead of showing remorse, Younes fled and posted the video of his action directly on Instagram. Within hours, the clip had been clicked on more than 6 million times. Internet fame through destruction? For many, a clear overstepping of boundaries.
From influencer to defendant - and back at large again
On January 4, Younes wanted to fly back to his home country - but it wasn't the gate waiting at BER, but the federal police. The 23-year-old was remanded in custody because he was a flight risk - he served a total of 96 days.
During the trial, he appeared remorseful and apologized publicly - but this only partially convinced the court. Although the sentence remained below the prosecution's demand (two years' probation), "I think it's unrealistic not to know what you're doing," said public prosecutor Tobias Dettmer.
No fun - but a real safety problem
The fact that a firework shoots through a window and explodes in the bedroom is not a "joke", but a fire hazard. The fact that no one was injured was pure luck - and should not be a yardstick.
The fact that the court did not find attempted arson or grievous bodily harm is legally justifiable - but it is also a clear sign of how difficult it is to get a clear legal grip on media-effective recklessness. A rocket launch in the direction of fame must not happen in a blind flight. Anyone who collects clicks at the expense of others must reckon with legal crash landings. This ruling was still merciful - next time it could sting. And not just in the bedroom.
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