A reward has been announced for information about the left-wing extremist group Vulkan, suspected of setting fire to cable infrastructure in Berlin, leaving tens of thousands of consumers without electricity.
The federal authorities of Germany have announced a reward of 1 million euros for information that will help track down the left-wing extremist group Vulkan, suspected of setting fire to the electricity supply infrastructure in Berlin. As stated on Tuesday, January 27, in Berlin by the Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt, such a high amount is intended to "motivate the population to cooperate." According to him, the size of the reward underscores the seriousness of the situation.
Dobrindt announced the authorities' intention to respond firmly to the threat posed by left-wing extremists. He stated that law enforcement agencies will be reinforced with additional personnel to effectively combat left-wing extremism without compromising their tasks in other areas.
The minister also reported plans to expand the powers of investigative bodies, including in the field of digital data analysis, automatic facial recognition, and storage of IP addresses.
Investigation and Search for Suspects
In connection with the attack on the power system, Dobrindt announced a large-scale information campaign in Berlin and Brandenburg regarding the reward announced by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). The BKA will increase its staff for round-the-clock reception of reports from citizens.
The minister noted that more than 100,000 people were affected by the consequences of the attack. As a result of the arson of a cable bridge in Berlin, approximately 45,000 households and 2,200 commercial properties were temporarily left without electricity.
The left-wing extremist group Vulkan claimed responsibility for the attack. The federal and state criminal offices, as well as the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, deemed the claim credible.
Activities of the Vulkan Group
The federal prosecutor's office is conducting an investigation into suspicions of participation in a terrorist organization, unconstitutional sabotage, arson, and disruption of the functioning of socially significant facilities.
Together with the BKA, the prosecutor's office urged citizens to report any information that could assist the investigation. The reception of reports will continue until February 24. Information can be submitted by phone, online, or through any police station.
According to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the Vulkan group has been active since 2011 and is linked to a series of arsons in Berlin and Brandenburg. Its targets typically include cable communications along railway lines, radio masts, data transmission lines, as well as service vehicles of companies. In the past, members of the group have also claimed responsibility for two attacks on the Tesla factory in Grünheide.
