Germany probes suspected arson near defense firm as sabotage concerns mount

German authorities are investigating a suspected arson attack at the Munich headquarters of defense technology company Rohde & Schwarz, whose products include radar systems designed to detect, track and jam drones.

Police arrested a 28-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man, both Bulgarian, after they were suspected of throwing incendiary devices and starting a fire at a construction site. Officers detained them at a nearby petrol station, Bavaria’s police said.

The fire caused no significant damage and nobody was injured. Rohde & Schwarz confirmed that police and firefighters had operated near its premises. Bulgaria’s interior minister, Ivan Demerdzhiev, promised cooperation but declined to provide details.

The incident comes during a week of heightened concern in Germany over the security of critical infrastructure. Police have investigated two suspected attempts to sabotage the electricity grid in Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia within 24 hours. Authorities have said they cannot rule out foreign involvement or attacks by domestic left-wing extremists, while Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt warned that foreign powers could use extremist groups as proxies.

The case also follows an August drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport, which Germany and its allies blamed on Moscow as part of hybrid warfare intended to intimidate and divide countries supporting Ukraine. Russia denies involvement. Germany has also faced a diplomatic response from Moscow, including a decision to close Goethe-Institut cultural centers, while Poland and Britain summoned Russian diplomats. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany had received an “impressive display of solidarity” from its European partners.

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impressive display of solidarity