German Health Minister's office attacked on New Year's Eve

A window of the constituency office of German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach was smashed on New Year's Eve, reported dpa, quoting police spokesperson.

The state security service has taken over the investigation, the spokesperson said.

The Social Democrats local association said it was unclear when exactly the Cologne office's window was smashed.

Lauterbach told dpa on Saturday that he assumed his office had been attacked once again by antivaxxers and radical opponents of Covid-19 measures.

The property has been defaced in the past, and he has also been sent threatening e-mails.

"These people do not represent society, where the overwhelming majority is sticking together and trying to do everything against the pandemic," the minister said.

On December 10, the office was vandalized with graffiti calling him "Minister of Illness," "Murderer" and "Psycho Lauterbach."