Germany detains suspect in sabotage of energy facilities
In Germany, police detained 48-year-old Daniel W., who is suspected of involvement in alleged sabotage against energy infrastructure. The man, who had been sought for several days, was detained on Tuesday near the Weisweiler power plant close to Aachen, Euronews reports.
According to the dpa agency, the suspect was detained near the power plant, while the newspaper Welt reported that this happened during a vehicle check. Cologne police released footage from an officer's body camera: it shows a man lying face down on the ground as armed police officers approach him. He is then handcuffed and escorted to a patrol car.
The video also shows a tent in which, investigators believe, Daniel W. may have slept.
Devices and possible targets
North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul told the state parliament's interior committee that investigators had discovered more than 40 devices in the state. According to him, they were capable of launching conductive material into power lines near substations.
Investigators believe such devices may have been intended to cause short circuits and power supply disruptions. In the seized vehicle, Reul said, they found a notebook with handwritten notes on more than 150 possible sabotage targets. Law enforcement officers checked the locations listed in it.
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After his detention, the man also allegedly pointed out seven locations where, according to the investigation, he had set up caches. Reul said that the detention of the alleged perpetrator of the attacks may have prevented a series of further attacks.
Federal prosecutor's investigation
Germany's Federal Prosecutor General's Office took over the case because of its particular importance. Investigators are examining, among other things, whether the alleged acts of sabotage were directed against the country's constitutional order.
Given the number of devices found, law enforcement officers are also determining whether the suspect could have acted alone. Reul noted that authorities are considering the possibility that he may have been carrying out an assignment for a foreign state, but there is currently no evidence to support it.
In recent days, investigators have been examining several alleged acts of sabotage against energy facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg. According to the investigation, homemade rockets may have been used to launch conductive material into high-voltage lines. These incidents did not cause significant disruptions to the power supply.
