Power line sabotage in Germany: letter claiming responsibility received, police verify authenticity
Following attacks on the electricity grid in Brandenburg and near Cologne, police have received a letter claiming responsibility. The authenticity of the document is still being verified.
Attacks on German energy network: letter from perpetrators in police hands
Following attacks on high-voltage power lines near the Jänschwalde power station in southern Brandenburg, German police have received a letter in which unknown individuals claim responsibility for the act, according to Google News SI — Crime.
"The authenticity of the letter is subject to investigation and at this time we can neither confirm nor deny it," said a police spokeswoman, adding that it is not yet known when the verification will be completed.
The examination of the scene at the transformer station in Turnow-Preilack continued, and traffic on state road L50 was closed for several hours. Police are investigating the incident as sabotage of the network, with the investigation also including suspicion of forming a terrorist organisation. They have received several citizen reports which are being processed.
Unknown perpetrators on Tuesday morning used improvised pyrotechnics, similar to New Year's fireworks, to attach conductive material to high-voltage lines with the intention of causing a short circuit. More than ten such devices have been discovered so far. The grid operator reported that there was no interruption to electricity supply.
Several hours later, a malfunction occurred at the transformer station in Bergheim near Cologne, where authorities also found launchers and pyrotechnics. "It is increasingly appearing that both attacks are part of a coordinated action against our energy supply," wrote Brandenburg's Interior Minister Jan Redmann (CDU) in a public statement.
North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) also assesses that a connection between the incidents is highly likely. Investigation services have in past cases of sabotage often suspected left-wing extremists, but Redmann emphasises that the method of execution was different this time. There is currently no evidence of involvement by a foreign state or intelligence operation.
The government responded to the attacks by announcing the establishment of a new security centre and expediting legislative procedures for the protection of critical infrastructure. Data from intelligence services, police, fire departments and emergency services are to be combined in a unified security centre. Redmann is endeavouring to implement as soon as possible a law that would allow operators of critical infrastructure to independently organise the security of facilities — a responsibility that has hitherto been exclusively within the domain of police and military.
In the broader context of events, Germany earlier in the week officially accused Russia of attempting an attack with a drone on a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle airport, which further strained relations between Berlin and Moscow.
Source: Google News SI — Crime (sl)