AfD MEP Arno Bausemer Allegedly Attacks 14-Year-Old with Baseball Bat

In Saxony-Anhalt, AfD MEP Arno Bausemer is alleged to have attacked a teenager with a baseball bat. The State Criminal Police Office is investigating.

Brutal election campaign: AfD information stand in Bitterfeld, Saxony-Anhalt. Photo: Hendrik Schmidt/dpa

dpa/taz | AfD MEP Arno Bausemer is said to have struck a teenager during a dispute over an election poster in Stendal, Saxony-Anhalt. According to the State Criminal Police Office of Saxony-Anhalt (LKA), a physical altercation occurred between a person covered by immunity and two teenagers. "It is alleged that a striking tool was used," the LKA announced upon request. One teenager suffered minor injuries.

Several media outlets unanimously report that the striking tool was a baseball bat. Security circles confirmed that the politician involved was Bausemer. According to MDR information, the 14-year-old received medical treatment for a mild concussion and several bruises. The second teenager confirmed that Bausemer used a baseball bat and "knocked his friend off his scooter."

Bausemer himself wrote about the incident on his Facebook page. He stated that the erected AfD banner had already been cut and destroyed three times in one week. Together with a party colleague, he caught the teenagers in the act. "I was able to stop and detain one of the perpetrators after a short chase and resistance." He did not initially comment on how exactly he detained the teenager.

The LKA stated that no further details could be provided at this time regarding the individuals involved due to personal rights, immunity protection, and ongoing investigations. "The exact course of events is the subject of ongoing police investigation." After approval to lift immunity, it is generally possible to initiate criminal procedural measures against the person involved.

Outrage Among Greens and Left Party

Bausemer entered the European Parliament in the 2024 European elections. He had previously been criticized mainly for false information in his resume – an accusation that led to an internal party reprimand and even calls for his expulsion from the party. However, this step did not occur. Only in July was he elected state treasurer of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt at a state party conference.

"Anyone who, as a member of parliament, attacks a person with a baseball bat has lost all sense of proportion," said Left Party parliamentary group leader Eva von Angern. "Such thugs do not belong in parliament, but should be criminally convicted." She stated that this incident shows the danger of the AfD "for our free society."

Greens state leader Susan Sziborra-Seidlitz said violence must never become a means of political conflict in a democracy. "Anyone who uses a baseball bat against a 14-year-old and accepts the risk of seriously injuring them is unfit for political office and must immediately resign from their mandate."

On September 6, a new state parliament will be elected in Saxony-Anhalt. The far-right AfD, classified as extremist, polls over 40 percent in all current surveys – and is already announcing the imminent "takeover of power" in the state.

Publication date: August 15, 2026, 2:55 PM