Lawyer calls suspect delusional after arson that injured 31 in Essen

A suspected arsonist behind fires over the weekend in the western German city of Essen that injured dozens of people has symptoms of delusions and other psychiatric problems, his lawyer said on Monday.

Two apartment buildings in Essen were set on fire on Saturday, with a total of 31 people injured in the blazes, including two very young children who have life-threatening injuries, according to the fire brigade.

The children inhaled smoke which severely damaged their lungs.

A 41-year-old man remains in police custody on Monday on suspicion of aggravated arson and attempted murder. According to police, the man drove a van into two grocery stores after intentionally lighting the buildings on fire.

The lawyer for the suspect said he apparently became convinced that a Lebanese family had exerted pressure on his former wife with the aim of turning her into a prostitute.

According to the suspect's account, he apparently intended to direct the fires against that other family, which he believed posed a threat to himself and his ex-wife.

Police, however, said initial indications were that the suspect was trying to harm his ex-wife and people that supported her after the break up.

The suspect is a Syrian citizen.

The lawyer, on the other hand, emphasized that the accused had continued to look after his three children after the separation and had helped the wife to furnish her new apartment.

The divorce had not been initiated by the wife, the lawyer said, but the man had filed for it two years ago.