Overview

• The Bavarian Central Office for Combating Extremism and Terrorism (ZET) has taken over the probe into the April 22 arson in Thalkirchen.
• Investigators are examining connections between this incident and a series of 13 arson attacks targeting infrastructure and construction equipment since 2023.
• The latest attack follows the February arrest of two suspects linked to left-wing extremism, though new incidents have occurred since their detention.
• Authorities are considering both ideological motives, such as left-wing extremism, and potential involvement of foreign actors like Russian contractors.
• The arson series has caused significant disruption, including a cable fire on April 9 that halted 90 trains, and has inflicted millions of euros in damages.