Berlin power outage: 1 million euros for information on suspects

The German government is offering a reward of 1 million euros (about 1.2 million US dollars) for information leading to the arrest or capture of suspected extremists involved in a devastating power outage in the German capital, Berlin.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced the announcement on Tuesday (January 27). The arson attack in early January left about 45,000 homes and 2,200 businesses in western Berlin without power for about a week.

Police said the far-left group Vulkangruppe had claimed responsibility for the attack. The group admitted to sabotaging the power supply system in several online statements. German Interior Minister Dobrindt said that such a large reward was necessary given the seriousness of the situation.

The severe winter at the time caused a disaster in the powerless areas. Public life was severely disrupted. For this reason, Dobrindt wants to punish the saboteurs, and the government will take a tough stance against such violent acts.

Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, said the Vulcan Group has been active since 2011 and is suspected of being involved in several arson and sabotage incidents in and around Berlin. The group had previously claimed responsibility for two sabotage attacks on electric car manufacturer Tesla's factory near Berlin.

Dobrindt said the police would launch a massive publicity campaign to catch the suspects. As part of this, posters and leaflets would be hung in public places, including Berlin subway stations.