Germany on Wednesday launched an investigation for “sabotage” after several arson attempts targeting Berlin’s railways, which were blamed on left-wing extremists. “The federal prosecutor’s office today took charge of the investigation … because of accusations related to sabotage aimed at undermining the constitution,” spokesman Stefan Schmidt told AFP. At least nine separate attacks, involving a dozen or so incendiary devices, have been recorded since Monday on railway lines in and around Berlin, interior ministry spokesman Jens Teschke told a regular news briefing on Wednesday.
Only in one case did a fire actually break out, slightly damaging signal cables, but checks on the lines have caused severe traffic disruptions. A far-left group claimed responsibility for Monday’s blaze just outside Berlin on the main line linking the capital to Hamburg, saying in an online message it had acted in protest against the German military’s deployment in Afghanistan, now entering its 10th year.
