A 48-year-old man has been arrested in connection with sabotage attacks on Germany's electricity grid, following a manhunt that lasted several days.
A 48-year-old man was arrested near the Weisweiler power plant in western Germany after being found with explosives. Police also discovered a tent nearby that was rigged with additional explosives, according to Cologne authorities. The suspect, identified by German media as Daniel V, is believed to have written letters claiming responsibility for sabotage attacks on electricity substations in Brandenburg, Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia. These incidents have involved the use of rockets to shoot wires across high-voltage cables, causing short circuits and temporarily taking some power-generating units offline.
Police found launch devices on high-voltage lines near the Weisweiler plant and a second confession letter. The suspect had previously sent two letters to media outlets, which contained details not yet made public. The letters were signed with the name Daniel, with the surname kept anonymous due to privacy rules. The suspect's residential address in Gevelsberg was also mentioned in the letters. Cologne Police had been searching for the suspect in connection with sabotage in three German states. Explosives were found during a search of his apartment, and 21 devices were discovered near high-voltage lines in Saxony over the weekend.
Why it matters
The claim may provide investigators with a direct lead on the suspect's actions.
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What to watch
Watch whether the suspect's claims are corroborated by evidence found at the substations.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.