Angriffe auf Energieversorgung: Attacken auf Stromnetz: Polizei nimmt Verdächtigen fest

In recent weeks, a series of sabotage attacks on power grids across several German states has come to an end as police apprehend a 48-year-old suspect. The man was apprehended during a large-scale operation near the Weisweiler power plant in Aachen. Authorities believe he attempted to sabotage power lines near coal-fired power plants in North Rhine-Westphalia, Brandenburg, and Saxony, with some incidents succeeding.

The suspect constructed explosive devices and used homemade rockets to shoot wires over high-voltage lines, causing at least two short circuits that temporarily halted sections of nearby power plants. Herbert Reul, the NRW Innenminister, stated that the suspect intended to continue his attacks, but today's operation has brought an end to his activities.

The suspect was found with explosive materials, and police are analyzing these items. The suspect was not resisting arrest. In Brandenburg, the minister described the suspect as a "misguided individual" and announced measures for enhanced security. The first attack occurred a week ago near the Jänschwalde power plant in Brandenburg.

Brandenburg's Innenminister Jan Redmann (CDU) referred to the suspect as a "misguided individual" and outlined plans for increased security. No further suspects have been identified in Brandenburg, according to the police. The investigation focused heavily on Weisweiler in the Rheinischen Braunkohlerevier. Police had searched the area just last week after receiving a letter from the suspect, who claimed to have originated from Gevelsberg in the southern Ruhrgebiet.

Recent suspicious observations in Weisweiler led to the discovery of additional launching devices and a third letter from the suspect. Police utilized a drone equipped with a thermal camera to search for hidden individuals. On Monday evening, officers observed thunder and explosions near the power plant, similar to those heard at other incident sites.

However, no damage was reported after these incidents. The search in Weisweiler continued on Tuesday, where the suspect was identified and apprehended near the facility. In the preceding extensive search, the Hambacher Forst, a site long occupied by climate activists, had been searched due to the belief that the suspect might be hiding there.

The suspect's motivations were explained in several letters found by police, which claimed that the attacks were part of a campaign against fossil energy. The suspect stated, "Generating electricity from fossil fuels is a crime."