German Police Arrests Suspected Climate Saboteur Daniel Wiehmann
German federal police arrested climate activist Daniel Wiehmann, suspected of firing improvised rockets at power facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, and Brandenburg.
German federal police announced on Tuesday the arrest of climate activist and suspected saboteur Daniel Wiehmann, who allegedly fired improvised rockets at several critical power facilities in the country, causing damage to multiple installations.
Arrest Near Power Plant
According to security sources cited by the German newspaper Bild, Wiehmann drew attention during a traffic stop near the Weisweiler power plant close to the city of Aachen in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The suspect attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by law enforcement.
At the time of his arrest, the 48-year-old suspect was carrying additional explosives. Police also discovered a hidden tent in nearby brush equipped with further explosive devices. The seized items are currently being examined by experts from the State Office of Criminal Investigation of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Investigation and Sabotage Campaign
Since the first suspected attack occurred at the Jänschwalde power plant—the largest in Brandenburg—the Public Prosecutor's Office in Cottbus has taken over the investigation. An arrest warrant has been issued against Wiehmann.
Intensive searches for the suspect had been underway in the area surrounding the facility since Monday afternoon. Wiehmann, a resident of Gevelsberg, is suspected of responsibility for sabotage and attempted sabotage at substations and high-voltage facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, and Brandenburg. He had been the target of an intensive manhunt since September 3.
«The investigation focuses on several claim-of-responsibility letters signed in his name, in which the attacks are justified by his rejection of fossil fuels and his fight against the climate crisis. Investigators consider these letters authentic as they contain details that only the perpetrator would know.»
On Monday, emergency services discovered multiple homemade firing devices attached to high-voltage power lines near the Weisweiler power plant, alongside another claim-of-responsibility letter. According to Bild, the letter was written in the first person. Bild also reported that Wiehmann had complained about negative media coverage following the initial suspected attacks.
