12 explosive devices found near electrical substations in Germany, climate activist suspected
Twelve improvised devices were discovered near two electrical substations in Saxony. Authorities are investigating links to previous attacks and suspect "climate extremism".
Explosive devices at Berwald and Graustein substations – specialist units neutralised the devices
After a citizen reported the matter to authorities, twelve improvised explosive devices were discovered on Friday near high-voltage lines at electrical substations near Berwald (close to Bautzen) and Graustein (close to Görlitz) in Saxony, reported 15min on Saturday, citing regional government statements. Specialist police units neutralised the devices; during the operation, nearby electrical lines were temporarily disconnected.
Authorities indicated they were investigating a "possible link" between these finds and previous attacks on electrical substations carried out in Germany earlier in the week. On Friday, authorities stated that those attacks were most likely cases of "climate extremism".
The suspected aim was to cut off power supply from coal-fired power plants and cause widespread supply disruptions across the country. A 48-year-old man, identified by German media as Daniel V., is associated with the incidents – he claimed responsibility for his actions in letters, and a search of his flat uncovered suspected explosive materials.
On Friday, newspaper Bild reported that an armed elite police unit in Hambach forest in North Rhine-Westphalia stormed a lorry allegedly belonging to the aforementioned activist, but failed to detain him. Hambach is a symbolic location for Germany's climate movement: activists had protested for many years against plans to fell the forest to expand a lignite mine.
Germany has recently faced a series of attacks on its electrical network – in some cases, responsibility has been claimed by activists with far-left views. The most serious incident occurred in January in Berlin: tens of thousands of households and thousands of businesses were left without power for almost a week in the middle of winter.
Source: 15min