The German government has announced a €1 million ($1.2 million) reward for information leading to the arrest of far-left militants suspected of a devastating arson attack that cut power to tens of thousands in Berlin.
The early January sabotage, claimed by the elusive "Vulkangruppe" (Volcano Group), triggered a massive week-long blackout in the capital’s southwest during winter. Approximately 45,000 households and 2,200 businesses were left without electricity. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, declaring the state would "strike back," stated the unprecedented bounty reflects the attack's severity.
"I think it’s appropriate to underscore the seriousness of the situation with a reward of this magnitude," Dobrindt said Tuesday. Authorities have assessed the Vulkangruppe’s online claim of responsibility as credible. According to Germany’s BfV domestic intelligence agency, the group has been active since 2011 and is suspected of several other arson attacks in the Berlin region, including two prior sabotage attempts against Tesla’s electric car factory near the city.
The manhunt now includes a major publicity campaign. Police will distribute leaflets and post notices across Berlin’s subway system to advertise the reward and solicit tips from the public. A conservative ally of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Dobrindt also pledged increased resources to combat "left-wing extremism" broadly. He called for expanded police powers, advocating for the wider use of facial recognition technology and digital data collection in investigations.