According to ARD, the wanted individual is a German citizen born in 1977 from the city of Gevelsberg in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. His name is listed on two letters, the author of which claims responsibility for the attacks on power grids. Moreover, the author provided his full name and address. The police are taking these messages seriously: they contain details related to the incidents that are of interest to the investigation. ### Car Found in the Forest, Suspect Disappeared The search for the man took a new turn after his car was found parked in a forest near the city of Düren. North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister of the Interior Herbert Reul stated that a special forces unit was dispatched to the vehicle. The special forces thoroughly searched the car, but the suspect was not found. According to the police, the man may have left the vehicle and fled on foot. A search operation was launched in the area. Previously, special forces had already conducted a search at the suspect's home in Gevelsberg. Reul reported that potassium nitrate and potassium perchlorate were discovered and seized there—chemical substances that can be used in the manufacture of pyrotechnic and explosive materials. ### How the Power Grids Were Attacked The method of the alleged sabotage turned out to be quite unusual. Homemade devices were found near energy facilities, designed to affect high-voltage lines. Using these devices, conductive material was launched towards the wires, capable of causing a short circuit. Reuters reports that in Bergheim near Cologne, five power units were taken out of service as a result of one of the attacks. Another suspicious device was found near a substation in Dormagen. Similar incidents are being investigated in other regions of Germany, including Brandenburg. ### The Trail Leads to 'Climate Extremism' In the letters, the author explains his actions as a fight against the use of fossil fuels. According to ARD, he claims that electricity production from coal and other fossil sources is a crime and states that he acted alone. Germany's Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt stated that the available information points to possible "climate extremism." However, the investigation does not yet consider the case solved. Law enforcement agencies need to establish whether the wanted man indeed wrote the confession letters and is behind all the listed attacks, whether he acted alone, and if the incidents at different energy facilities are connected. The situation appears almost detective-like: the alleged author of the letters left his name and address with the police, then disappeared, and later his empty car was found in the forest. The search for the 48-year-old suspect is ongoing.
