Germany's power infrastructure targeted in sabotage — police search for 48-year-old man
German police have issued a Europe-wide search for a suspect in multiple acts of sabotage at electricity transmission substations. The 48-year-old man from Gefelsberge has claimed responsibility in letters.
German police search for man suspected in substation sabotage
German police have issued a Europe-wide search for a 48-year-old man from Gefelsberge, who is suspected of sabotage at electricity transmission substations in the western part of the country and other regions. According to Apollo, police are investigating multiple incidents.
The suspect has claimed responsibility for the incidents in two letters, arguing that his actions were intended to draw attention to electricity generation from fossil fuels, which he himself describes as a crime. A police spokesperson said it must first be established whether the man is the actual perpetrator or merely someone claiming credit. However, the letters contained information about incidents that had not yet become publicly known at the time they were sent.
In Dormagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, between Cologne and Düsseldorf, a suspicious device was found near a substation — German newspaper Bild reports that homemade rocket launchers were discovered. The letters also mention a planned next attack on critical infrastructure at a power station near Aachen. Police conducted a thorough search of the area around Weisweiler power station; a DPA correspondent observed forensic experts collecting blueprints and wires.
In Bergheim, west of Cologne, on Tuesday unknown persons draped wires across overhead power lines, causing a short circuit — so far the only confirmed material damage in this series of incidents. Similar events were recorded in Brandenburg at the beginning of the week.
North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul confirmed that authorities know the suspect's name. "Yesterday evening we checked the locations he mentioned once again. And indeed, it was not made up. At least the information is accurate," said Reul. The minister added that there is currently compelling evidence pointing to a single individual, but did not rule out group involvement, and noted that there are currently few signs of involvement by foreign powers.
Police conducted a search of the suspect's property in Gefelsberge. In Ganderkesee, west of Bremen, a major security operation took place this morning when a patrol spotted an open electrical cabinet — the search uncovered nothing suspicious. Following these incidents, police units throughout the country are operating on high alert.
Source: Apollo