MUNICH (dpa-AFX) - After an attack on a construction site near Munich's Ostbahnhof and on buildings used by several defense contractors, Bavaria's interior minister, Joachim Herrmann (CSU), spoke of "arson attacks." The target was "buildings or construction sites" that are "directly attributable to defense and security firms in Munich," he said. A "political motive behind these crimes" should be assumed. The Bavarian Central Office for Combating Extremism and Terrorism (ZET), based at the Munich General Public Prosecutor's Office, has taken over the investigation.
Interior minister sees "an increased risk of attacks"
"Overall, this incident shows that, as in other places in Germany in recent days, we now face an increased risk of attacks on our own infrastructure, but also quite clearly in connection with defense contractors in our country. All of this in the context of the overall heightened security situation and international conflicts," Herrmann said.
"This is not about a threat to citizens as a whole in any random place," he stressed. "What we are seeing are attempted or actual attacks like the one at Leipzig airport, the power substations of the electricity supply in recent days, and now quite specifically in connection with companies that are active in the defense and security sector."
All of this was "nothing entirely new, but also in line with fears and expectations" of recent weeks and months. "We must take these risks very seriously and be prepared for something like this to happen every day in some other place in Germany as well."
Two Bulgarians were arrested after incendiary devices were thrown at a construction site during the night, located in the immediate vicinity of office buildings used by defense contractors and not far from Munich's Ostbahnhof. It was initially unclear who the attempted attack was aimed at. The Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (LKA) quickly assumed a political motive and that a defense contractor was being targeted. Whether this was a targeted attack on one of the companies is the subject of the investigation, the General Public Prosecutor's Office said.
Incendiary device triggered fire
At least one of the incendiary devices started a fire that police officers extinguished. No major damage was caused, a police spokesperson said. Another incendiary device had to be defused by specialist forces. The devices were reportedly thrown from a car around midnight. A witness observed the incident and alerted police. After a manhunt, a 28-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man were arrested at a gas station. The two Bulgarian nationals initially did not comment on the allegations. The authorities also did not provide further details about suspects, even when asked.
German defense contractors at risk
The threat to German defense contractors has increased over the past four years. Because Germany has supported Ukraine politically and militarily since the start of Russia's war of aggression and is also rearming itself in view of a potential threat to NATO states from Russia, the sector has increasingly become a target of hybrid attacks as well as actions by left-wing and left-wing extremist groups.
In July, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) urged employees of defense contractors to be particularly vigilant, based on current intelligence. "There is an increased likelihood that relevant companies will become the target of espionage and sabotage by Russian state actors or on their behalf," a security advisory for businesses published by the domestic intelligence service said.
Police protection for company chief
Germany is now Ukraine's most important supporter. Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger is already receiving special police protection. According to a report by US broadcaster CNN, US intelligence services uncovered Russian government assassination plans against him in early 2024, the Kremlin denied it.
To underscore the urgency of its warning, the security agency cited, among other things, the publication of a list by Russia's defense ministry, naming 21 European companies accused of being linked to the production and delivery of drones for Ukraine.
In its warning on the "security and defense sector as a target," the domestic intelligence service also points to disruptive actions that have nothing to do with Russia. It sees the possibility of further actions aimed at preventing arms exports to Israel, as well as "particularly high left-wing extremist mobilization potential driven by anti-militarism."
Economy minister calls for better protection for companies
Whether the war in Ukraine could also be a factor in the Munich attempted attack was initially unclear. Bavaria's economy minister, Hubert Aiwanger, called for better protective measures. "We have to face the reality that cowardly attacks on German companies and infrastructure are increasing," he said. "Unfortunately, this is not the first case in which a technology company with ties to the security and defense industry has been targeted."/uvo/DP/jha
