Saxony Interior Minister Calls Leipzig Airport Attack Attempt ‘State Terrorism’

Saxony Interior Minister Armin Schuster has described the attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport as “state terrorism,” warning that Germany faces a new kind of terrorist threat.

German security agencies must deal with a threat that has grown in both frequency and intensity, Schuster told newspapers belonging to the Funke media group. The attacks represented “a completely new terrorist threat that must be clearly named and fought as state terrorism,” he said.

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State terrorism

The federal government said the failed attack, involving a drone fitted with explosives, was linked to Russia. Berlin announced retaliatory measures, including the closure of Russia’s consulate general in Bonn, the termination of the contract for the Russian House in Berlin and further sanctions.

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A completely new terrorist threat that must be clearly named and fought as state terrorism

Schuster said it was “immensely important” for Saxony and Germany as a whole to continue strengthening police and intelligence services with appropriate powers and adequate technical equipment. The Greens also welcomed the government’s response, while criticizing the delay. Konstantin von Notz, the party’s deputy parliamentary group leader, said it was welcome that the government had “finally” adopted clearer language about the incident, adding that this had been “long overdue.”

The drone was discovered on Aug. 4 in a restricted area of Leipzig/Halle Airport, between Ukrainian cargo aircraft. A group of travelers spotted and captured a small hovering four-rotor drone late at night. The device carried an apparently professionally made explosive mechanism.

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Finally adopting much clearer language about the incident in Leipzig is something we expressly welcome. It was long overdue