GERMANY OFFERS €1M REWARD FOR ARREST OF MILITANTS BEHIND BERLIN BLACKOUT

GERMANY OFFERS €1M REWARD FOR ARREST OF MILITANTS BEHIND BERLIN BLACKOUT

Reported by Sele Media Africa| Ihuoma Amarachi

Berlin, Germany — The German government has announced a €1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of those suspected of carrying out a major arson attack that caused a prolonged blackout in Berlin earlier this month. The reward was confirmed by Iris Spranger, Berlin’s Senator for Interior Affairs, during a session of the Berlin State Parliament’s Interior Committee. Authorities described the amount as an “exceptional” and “unprecedented” measure aimed at securing decisive leads in the investigation.

According to officials, the sabotage on January 3, 2026 targeted high-voltage power cables in southwest Berlin, leaving tens of thousands of residents and hundreds of businesses without electricity for several days amidst cold winter conditions. Reports indicate that the incident is being treated as a terrorist act, and federal prosecutors have taken the lead in the investigation. The blackout affected roughly 45,000 households and around 2,200 commercial units, marking one of the most severe power outages in Berlin’s recent history. While no arrests have yet been made, investigators are focusing on a suspected far-left extremist group known as the “Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group)”, which later claimed responsibility for the sabotage in online statements. German authorities, including the Federal Prosecutor’s Office and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), are urging the public to come forward with credible information that could lead to arrests. The reward offer is expected to be valid for several weeks to intensify search efforts.

Citations: https://aa.com.tr/en/europe/germany-offers-over-1m-reward-for-information-on-berlin-power-grid-attack/3811616 https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/news/innensenatorin-bestaetigt-bund-setzt-eine-millionen-euro-belohnung-fuer-brandanschlag-aufklaerung-aus-li.10016011

About The Author

Ihuoma Amarachi Grace

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Ihuoma Amarachi Grace is a journalist with Sele Media Africa, committed to telling authentic African stories with depth and creativity. A Christian and a student of English and Literary Studies, she blends her love for writing with the art of spoken word to inspire and inform. Her voice adds a thoughtful and artistic dimension to Sele Media’s mission of amplifying unheard voices across the continent.

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