Police Officers' Union: Left-wing Extremists Becoming More Violent - Far-left extremists claim responsibility for Berlin's crippling power grid attack
A far-left extremist group has taken responsibility for a major attack on Berlin's power grid earlier this year. The incident left thousands of homes without electricity and has sparked calls for stronger action against political violence. Authorities now face pressure to address gaps in coordination and investigation tactics.
In January, suspected far-left extremists targeted high-voltage cables in Berlin, causing widespread power outages. The sabotage affected around 45,000 households, with some areas remaining without electricity for days. A group calling itself the Vulkan Group later claimed responsibility for the attack.
Dirk Peglow, chairman of the German Criminal Police Union (BDK), has warned that far-left extremism is becoming increasingly violent. He criticised the lack of a unified strategy among German states to tackle such threats. Peglow also questioned the usefulness of a €1 million reward offered for information, suggesting it may not lead to breakthroughs.
Investigators have struggled to make progress in identifying those behind the attack. Peglow highlighted the difficulty of placing undercover officers within far-left circles, which often operate in tight-knit, secretive networks. He further pointed to outdated communication methods—such as faxed requests for information—as a barrier to effective cooperation between agencies.
The BDK has now urged authorities to take stronger, more coordinated measures. Peglow stressed that without improved intelligence-sharing and modernised investigative techniques, the risk of further attacks remains high.
The January power grid sabotage has exposed weaknesses in Germany's response to far-left extremism. With the Vulkan Group still at large and authorities facing operational challenges, calls for reform are growing louder. The incident has also raised concerns about the potential for similar attacks in the future.
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