Authorities arrested influencer Atallah Younes for launching a firework into a German child’s bedroom. He was apprehended while attempting to flee the country, according to German outlet Bild.
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Widely circulated social media footage captures 24-year-old Younes on New Year’s Eve, igniting a firework and aiming it at an apartment building in Berlin’s Neukoelln district. The firework shattered the third-floor window, bursting inside and apparently igniting the room in flames. The footage cuts to Younes prancing away as more fireworks blaze past his feet.
Remember Atallah Younes, the Palestinian influencer who fired a firework into a child’s bedroom window in Berlin on NYE?
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 5, 2025
He was arrested at the airport by German authorities as he was trying to leave Germany.pic.twitter.com/8mLmTNk1IT
However, Blid reports that the explosion caused no injuries, leaving only the carpet and some furniture in the room damaged. The video of Younes, a tourist from Nablus, West Bank, sparked outrage in Germany, garnering over 10 million views.
Younes, who only speaks Arabic, alleges he became the target of racist attacks after the video of him recklessly shooting fireworks went viral. He was arrested at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport on Jan. 4, just before his 5:55 p.m. flight to Jordan.
German Police Release Statement After Arresting Atallah Younes
Berlin Police released a statement following the arrest: “A man suspected of serious arson on New Year’s Eve was arrested today by [federal police] while attempting to leave the country at Berlin airport following search operations by our [State Criminal Police].”
Shortly before his arrest, Younes told a Bild reporter at the airport that he “just wanted to celebrate” and hadn’t realized the firework was “so dangerous.” Soon after, armed police arrived on the scene and apprehended him along with his travel companion.
The arrest followed the influencer’s release of an apology video on Instagram. In the footage, he appeared alongside the apartment owner whose property had been struck. In the video, he explained to the homeowner that he had not anticipated the firework’s trajectory and assured them that hitting the apartment was unintentional.
Younes also revealed that he had faced racist abuse. He claims social media users urged him to leave the country following his stunt. The Palestinian influencer, who has a following of 300,000 on Instagram, documented his trip to Germany for his audience.
The video showing him setting off the firework on New Year’s Eve has since been removed. The influencer hasn’t posted since his arrest.