Federal Prosecutor Investigates Left-Wing Terrorist Arson Attack on Berlin Power Grid

The Federal Prosecutor's Office has taken over the investigation into a terrorist arson attack on Berlin's power infrastructure, which caused widespread electricity outages affecting around 45,000 households and 2,200 businesses. The incident occurred at a cable bridge on the Teltow Canal, leaving large parts of the city without power beginning Saturday morning. By Tuesday, restoration efforts saw about 25,500 households and 1,200 businesses still without electricity, with full service expected by Thursday afternoon.

Authorities have labeled the attack politically motivated and linked it to left-wing extremist sabotage. Berlin's Senator for the Interior, Iris Spranger, and Mayor Kai Wegner confirmed the assault as an act of "left terrorism." A group calling itself the 'Vulkangruppe' has claimed responsibility, stating their intent was to sabotage the fossil energy sector rather than to simply cause power outages. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has documented that the 'Vulkangruppe' has repeatedly attacked public infrastructure since 2011. The group is named after Icelandic volcanoes, inspired by the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, which disrupted air travel across Europe.

This incident underscores growing concerns about politically motivated violent crimes in Germany. Recent interior ministry data indicate a sharp rise in such violence, with over 900 left-wing and 1,300 right-wing politically motivated violent acts recorded in the past year. Stephan Kramer, president of Thüringen's Verfassungsschutz, has warned about critical vulnerabilities in protecting Germany’s infrastructure, calling for increased societal and institutional awareness.

The Federal Prosecutor's investigation encompasses charges of membership in a terrorist organization, unconstitutional sabotage, arson, and disruption of public services. Berlin officials have emphasized the importance of rooting out extremist violence to safeguard public safety and infrastructure stability.