Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Federal Prosecutors Take Over Terror Probe Into Berlin Power Grid Attack

Police treat a 'Vulkangruppe' claim as authentic, with officials saying there is no evidence pointing to Russia.

Overview

  • The General Federal Prosecutor assumed the case on suspicion of terrorist offenses, including membership in a terrorist organization, sabotage, arson, and disruption of public services.
  • A deliberate fire at a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal on January 3 triggered a blackout that at peak hit more than 45,000 households, with roughly 25,000 still without power on Tuesday as full restoration is targeted by Thursday.
  • Berlin authorities say indicators point to the left-wing 'Vulkangruppe', and investigators are pursuing forensics, video analysis, and tips, with no arrests announced so far.
  • Social media theories suggesting a Russian hand cite linguistic oddities in the claim text, but security officials reject this attribution and warn against misinformation.
  • A follow-up text attributed to the group appeared on Indymedia including an apology to less affluent residents, as experts describe 'Vulkangruppen' as a loose anarchist network linked to prior infrastructure attacks such as the 2024 Grünheide case.