The participation of a “foreign state” cannot be ruled out, and federal prosecutors are investigating the incident, Alexander Dobrindt said at a press conference.
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Intended for Russian agents
Earlier on Friday, German media reported that German security services found two hidden firearms in a forest near Berlin, which officials believe were intended for use by Russian agents.
The pistols were found last year in a forest near the German capital, following a tip-off from a certain informant, reported public broadcasters NDR and WDR and the newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung.
Concern is growing in Germany about what Western governments call hybrid warfare.
Berlin uses this term to describe hostile actions that cannot be considered clear military attacks. Germany classifies such hostile actions as, among other things, espionage, arson, and sabotage carried out by foreign states or on their behalf.
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This month, a drone with explosives was found at Leipzig airport, which is a key logistics hub for weapons sent to Ukraine, and the police used a bomb disposal robot to remove the detonator.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has been warning for some time that Russia may be planning attacks against defense industry executives, opposition figures in exile, and supporters of Ukraine.
The alleged assassination attempts were reportedly targeted at Rheinmetall defense giant CEO Armin Papperger, as well as drone manufacturer Donaustahl’s head Stefan Thumann.
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