Sabotage at transformer stations: special forces storm Daniel V.'s vehicle in North Rhine-Westphalia – suspect on the run
Special operations forces stormed the getaway car of alleged saboteur Daniel V. in Niederzier. The 48-year-old remains at large on foot.
Manhunt in NRW: suspect on the run on foot after special forces operation
A special operations unit of North Rhine-Westphalia police stormed the vehicle of alleged saboteur Daniel V. in Niederzier in Düren district on Friday evening. The car was parked in a forest. The 48-year-old from Gevelsberg in the Ennepe-Ruhr district escaped and has since been at large on foot, according to NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU). WELT is reporting on the ongoing major operation.
Investigators are now evaluating footage from wildlife cameras to determine whether the suspect was filmed. According to WDR, a total of nine launch devices were found in Bergheim, two in Dormagen and one further device in Weisweiler.
Daniel V. had published a confession letter regarding the attacks on several transformer stations, which WELT also possesses. In it, he justifies the sabotage acts with his criticism of energy production from fossil fuels. Police consider the letter – including name and address – to be authentic.
However, Reul urged caution: "If someone puts their name to it, that does not necessarily make them responsible." The authorities are currently examining whether the man acted alone.
According to Reul, items including "objects suspected of being explosives" were seized during a search of the suspect's flat on Friday. These are currently under examination, the minister said at a joint appearance with Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) before journalists.
Dobrindt classified the case as "climate extremism" by an alleged lone actor. He pointed out, however, that the investigation is still ongoing and the background to the offence has not yet been conclusively clarified. A final assessment is not possible at the current time.
The confession letter names further possible attack targets, including a power station in Weisweiler near Aachen. Police are investigating that location too.
Görlitz police directorate also confirmed an operation north of Bautzen in Saxony. According to the Bild newspaper, two explosive devices were discovered near transformer stations there. The region is home to transformer stations in the Lausitzer lignite mining area on the border with Brandenburg.
As early as Tuesday morning, unknown individuals in Brandenburg had attempted to trigger a large-scale power outage through an attack on a transformer station near Jänschwalde power station. On Thursday evening, there was then a further sabotage attempt at the transformer station in Dormagen. According to RWE, police found launch devices there near the utility company's power lines.
Source: WELT