Sabotage at transformer stations: police analyse wildlife camera footage – Daniel V. on the run
Suspected saboteur Daniel V. is fleeing on foot in North Rhine-Westphalia after a vehicle raid. Federal Interior Minister Dobrindt speaks of "climate extremism".
Search for suspect – wildlife cameras expected to provide clues
Police in North Rhine-Westphalia are continuing an intensive search for 48-year-old Daniel V. from Gevelsberg, who is suspected of carrying out several acts of sabotage against transformer stations. According to WELT, a special operations unit stormed the suspect's vehicle on Friday evening, which was parked in a forest near Niederzier in Düren district. Since then, the man has been considered to be fleeing on foot.
According to WDR, investigators are now analysing footage from wildlife cameras to determine whether Daniel V. was captured on film. Additionally, a total of nine launching devices are said to have been found in Bergheim, two in Dormagen and one in Weisweiler.
Confession letter in possession of police and WELT
The suspect had published a confession letter regarding the attacks, which WELT has also obtained. In it, he justifies the attacks on transformer stations with criticism of energy generation from fossil fuels. The police consider the letter – including name and address – to be authentic.
However, NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) urged caution: "If someone signs his name to something, that does not necessarily make him responsible." It is currently being examined whether Daniel V. acted alone.
During a search of his flat on Friday, "items suspected of containing explosives" were among other things seized, as Reul stated. These are currently being examined.
Dobrindt: "climate extremism" by alleged lone actor
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), speaking at a joint appearance with Reul, referred to a case of "climate extremism" by an alleged lone actor. He also pointed to the ongoing investigation and the motive for the acts, which has not yet been conclusively clarified. A final assessment was not yet possible, Dobrindt emphasised.
Further attack sites and operations in Saxony
The confession letter names further potential targets, including a power station in Weisweiler near Aachen. Police are investigating there as well. The police directorate in the Saxon town of Görlitz also confirmed an operation north of Bautzen, in which two explosive devices were found near transformer stations, according to Bild. The region is located in the Lausitz lignite mining area on the state border with Brandenburg.
As early as Tuesday morning, unknown individuals had attempted to trigger a widespread power outage with an attack on a transformer station near Jänschwalde power station in Brandenburg. On Thursday evening, another sabotage attempt followed near Dormagen in NRW: according to RWE, police found launching devices there in the vicinity of power lines belonging to the utility provider.
Source: WELT