German police have discovered a total of 12 explosive devices along power lines in the eastern state of Saxony following a series of attacks on the country’s power grid this week, press reports said.
“These were intended to cause damage to the high-voltage power lines by inducing a short circuit,” the weekly Focus news magazine reported Saturday, citing security officials.
The explosive devices were "homemade". Specialists from the State Criminal Police Office defused them.
“There was no actual damage or disruption to the power supply. There is no danger to the public,” officials said.
Investigators made their discovery in the area of high-voltage power lines south of the Baerwalde electricity substation near the town of Lippen and east of the Graustein electricity substation near the town of Schleife.
An investigation is underway on suspicion of attempted disruption in public services and attempted anti-constitutional sabotage.
German authorities said Friday they believe a “climate activist” was behind a spate of sabotage attacks on the power grid and are hunting for the 48-year-old suspect.
“We must assume that this is a case of climate extremism,” said Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt.
The man is thought to have sent letters confessing to the attacks on power lines, and suspected explosive materials were discovered during searches of his home in the western town of Gevelsberg, officials said.
