Germany searches for suspect in power infrastructure sabotage incidents

German police are searching across Europe for a 48-year-old man suspected of a series of sabotage attempts targeting electricity infrastructure. The man, from Gevelsberg, claimed responsibility in two letters and said he wanted to draw attention to fossil-fuel power generation, which he described as a crime.

Police said the letters contained information about incidents that had not yet been made public when they were sent. “First, it must be established whether he really is the suspect or merely an imitator,” a police spokesman said.

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First, it must be established whether he really is the suspect or merely an imitator.

The latest incident occurred in Dormagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, where officers found a suspicious device near a substation. Police believe it may have been an attempted act of sabotage. Bild reported that homemade rocket launchers were found. A letter also warned of another attack on critical infrastructure at a power plant near Aachen, prompting a careful search around the Weisweiler plant.

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Yesterday evening we checked again the places he mentioned. And indeed, it was not made up. At least the information is correct.

DPA observed forensic experts collecting thin wires at the site. Police have not released further details about the operation. Earlier in the week, similar incidents occurred in North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg. No damage had been identified except at a substation in Bergheim, west of Cologne, where unknown people dragged wires across overhead power lines, causing a short circuit.

North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul said the evidence pointed to a person known to authorities. “Yesterday evening we checked again the places he mentioned. And indeed, it was not made up. At least the information is correct,” he said. Reul added that there were currently few signs of foreign involvement and strong evidence of a lone perpetrator, though a group could also be involved. Police have increased security nationwide. A separate operation near a substation in Ganderkesee found no suspicious items after officers noticed an open electrical cabinet.

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There are currently few signs indicating the involvement of a foreign power. There is convincing evidence that this is one individual perpetrator. However, a group may also be involved.