Searches - Investigators find masses of illegal firecrackers
Just over a week before the New Year, investigators searching two apartments in Berlin-Britz discovered masses of illegal firecrackers. They believe that these were possibly intended to be used for New Year's Eve riots and attacks on emergency services.
As the police and public prosecutor's office announced on Friday, pyrotechnics in the three-digit kilogram range were confiscated, including more than 80 so-called ball bombs, around 30,000 firecrackers and almost 100 firecracker cartridges. In addition, around 50,000 euros in cash, cell phones and laptops were seized as well as - as a kind of chance find, as it were - counterfeit branded clothing.
The searches were carried out as part of an investigation into two suspects for violating the Explosives Act. A 42-year-old and a 27-year-old are reportedly accused of dealing in pyrotechnics on a large scale. The older man is said to have offered such products together with his 14 and 16-year-old sons - via three Instagram accounts.
According to the police, there is an indication that the "action-oriented, pro-Palestinian scene", among others, may have been supplied with illegal pyrotechnics via the online stores. "There was also suspicion that this illegally procured pyrotechnics could be used against Berlin police forces, especially on New Year's Eve", the statement said. The 27-year-old had no apparent political connection so far.
According to the police, so-called ball bombs are large fireworks that pose a great danger and may only be used by people with specialist knowledge. "Depending on the caliber, a considerable safety distance is recommended, which may be difficult to maintain on New Year's Eve in heavily frequented areas such as Sonnenallee," the statement said.
Press release
Read also:
- A clan member is punished here
- Traffic lawyer warns: Don't talk to the police!
- Will he be convicted as Jutta's murderer after 37 years?
- He also wanted to kill his cousin
- Despite the confiscation of large quantities of illegal firecrackers before New Year's Eve, there were still concerns about potential riots and attacks on emergency services.
- On New Year's Eve, the police advised people to maintain a significant safety distance from possible use of dangerous pyrotechnics like ball bombs due to the high risk involved.
- Amidst investigations into the illegal sale of pyrotechnics, the police in Berlin also suspect criminality associated with the supply of illegal firecrackers to certain groups, including the "action-oriented, pro-Palestinian scene."
- Following the discovery of illegal firecrackers on New Year's Eve eve, many sections of Berlin's heavily frequented areas, such as Sonnenallee, were filled with tension and anticipation, echoing a broader focus on criminality and public safety around the turn of the year.
Source: www.stern.de
