Police find explosive devices on power lines in East Saxony

After attacks on the power grid in other federal states, the police discovered a total of twelve explosive devices in East Saxony. “These were intended to cause damage to the electrical high-voltage lines through a short circuit,” the security authorities informed. 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 population,” it said.

The investigators found what they were looking for in the area of ​​high-voltage lines south of the Bärwalde substation near Lippen and east of the Graustein substation near Schleife. The places are located in the Lusatian brown coal region near the border with Brandenburg. The investigation is being carried out on suspicion of causing an explosive explosion in conjunction with attempted disruption of public operations and attempted unconstitutional sabotage.

There was a major police operation in the region on Friday. The trigger was “interagency information” and a report from an attentive citizen. The police and the Dresden Public Prosecutor's Office said a connection to other cases in Bandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia is currently being examined. “The Saxon law enforcement and security authorities are in close coordination with the affected countries.”

Meanwhile, the operation continues. As a purely precautionary measure, the electrical infrastructure will continue to be searched, it said. The investigators are also relying on information from the public. People or vehicles may have been noticed in the area of ​​high-voltage lines. Images and video material are of particular interest. “Such recordings can provide important information and significantly support the investigative work,” said the authorities: “Every clue can be important for clearing up the incidents.”