German police arrested a 48-year-old man suspected of sabotaging the country's electricity grid. He was found with explosives near a power plant and a tent rigged with further devices. The suspect is believed to have sent letters claiming responsibility for attacks across multiple German states.
The arrest of a suspected saboteur highlights potential threats to critical infrastructure and raises concerns about domestic security and the stability of energy supplies.
German police have arrested a 48-year-old man suspected of carrying out a series of sabotage attacks on the nation's electricity grid. The suspect was detained near the Weisweiler power plant in western Germany on Tuesday, reportedly carrying explosives. A tent found in nearby undergrowth was also rigged with further explosive devices.
Authorities believe the man, identified by German media as Daniel V, is responsible for attacks in Brandenburg, Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia. These incidents, which have occurred over the past week, typically involved rockets being used to shoot wires across high-voltage cables, causing short circuits and leading to temporary power outages at some plants.
Police in Cologne stated that the explosives found during the arrest are being examined, and a search is underway for any undiscovered devices. Prior to the arrest, police had found launch devices and a confession letter on high-voltage lines near the Weisweiler plant. German media have reported receiving handwritten letters from the suspect, signed with the first name Daniel, containing information not yet made public and providing a residential address.
Investigators had previously searched the suspect's apartment in Gevelsberg and found explosives. In Saxony alone, 21 devices were discovered near power lines over the weekend. Interior Minister Armin Schuster acknowledged the potential for a regional blackout but cautioned against premature conclusions, noting the unusual nature of the deed and the confession.