Three days after the arson attack on the electric car manufacturer’s power supply Tesla The Federal Prosecutor’s Office has taken over the investigation. The initial suspicion is, among other things, membership in a terrorist organization, unconstitutional sabotage and communal arson, a spokeswoman for the Karlsruhe authorities said on Friday. “No further information is currently being provided,” said the highest law enforcement authority in Germany.
On Tuesday, previously unknown perpetrators set fire to an electricity pylon in a field in eastern Brandenburg, which also ensures the supply to the Tesla factory in Grünheide near Berlin. The production of the company’s only European factory Elon Musk (52) was stopped. Tens of thousands of residents were also affected by a power outage.
The left-wing extremist “Vulkan Group” had declared that it was responsible for the attack. The police believe a letter of confession is genuine. The investigators are looking for witnesses who noticed the crime on Tuesday night or who can provide information about suspects. “Witnesses have come forward,” said a spokeswoman for the Frankfurt (Oder) public prosecutor’s office, before the investigation was transferred to the Federal Prosecutor General. However, for tactical reasons, no further information would be provided. The public prosecutor’s office had previously investigated unconstitutional sabotage, disruption of public operations and arson.
Brandenburg’s Interior Minister Michael Stübgen (CDU) welcomed the Federal Prosecutor’s Office’s decision. “This increases the pressure on the criminal gang that operates throughout Germany and possibly even internationally,” said Stübgen, who is currently chairman of the Conference of Interior Ministers, to the German Press Agency. After the attack, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) called for tough action against left-wing extremists.
Since the attack, Tesla and an Edeka logistics center have not yet been able to receive electricity again. The network operator Edis spoke of significant damage to the mast and live parts. According to the electric car manufacturer, production in Grünheide will probably remain interrupted until the end of next week – longer than initially thought. This also applies to the Edeka distribution center.
Security precautions on the area around the damaged power pole have been increased. The area will be extensively fenced off so that only qualified personnel will have access, the electricity network operator Edis announced on its website. A security service is on duty and the police ensure constant patrolling and security.
The Edeka retail chain wants to fill the shelves in stores in Berlin and Brandenburg again as soon as possible, despite the continued interruption of the power line to the Freienbrink logistics center. “In some cases there may still be delays in deliveries to the stores,” said a company spokesman for the Edeka Minden-Hannover Foundation. “A sufficient supply of everyday products is ensured in the markets.” Like Tesla, Edeka expects the connection to the power grid to be restored at the end of next week.