Police say a dead pig with Chancellor Angela Merkel's name daubed on it has been found at a construction site where a mosque is being built in the eastern German city of Leipzig.
The animal's corpse had the words "Mutti Merkel" written on it in red letters. "Mutti," or "mom," has become a common nickname for the German leader over the years.
Police spokesman Uwe Voigt said that "in view of the circumstances it appears likely that this is a xenophobic act," news agency dpa reported. Authorities were investigating.
Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung condemned the incident.
In a 2013 incident after plans for the mosque became known, pigs' heads were found at the same site. Police say no perpetrator has ever been found.
In 2015, Germany saw a historic influx of refugees and migrants thanks in part to its open-door policy championed by Chancellor Merkel.
But a majority of Germans now doubt the country's policy on Europe's refugee crisis and growing disquiet has exposed underlying xenophobia, according to NBC News.
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Authorities have warned of suspicion toward migrants and refugees as they investigate a string of sexual assaults on women celebrating New Year's Eve in Cologne — alleged crimes that police said were committed mostly by men of "North African" background, NBC News reported.
Last month, right-wing protesters carrying German flags and signs that read "Rapefugees not welcome" marched through the streets of Leipzig.
