Two men have reportedly been identified in connection with suspected hybrid attacks at Leipzig Airport, according to German media reports.
One of the men was born in Russia and holds a Latvian passport, while the second is from Belarus and holds a Russian passport.
Both men are reportedly believed to have links to Russian intelligence services, while Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office has formally opened an investigation into them, according to the reports.
The man holding the Latvian passport is believed to have arrived at the airport in late July before travelling by rental car to Leipzig.
Known to EU intelligence agencies
He reportedly left Germany from Berlin Airport two days before the attack.
Authorities are said to have identified the second alleged accomplice through DNA evidence found on the drone, as well as on an antenna discovered in a tree near the airport.
The antenna was reportedly used to boost the mobile phone signal in order to control the drone.
The man is also believed to have entered Germany on an Italian tourist visa issued by the Italian consulate in Minsk, Belarus.
He is reportedly already known to several European intelligence agencies.
The information was gathered through cooperation between German intelligence services and their counterparts in other countries. According to reports, the findings were subsequently shared with the leadership of EU member states.
US media have also reported that the CIA believes Moscow was behind the attack in Leipzig.
Meanwhile, officials in Berlin have described Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statements on the matter as “blatantly false” and typical justifications of Russian propaganda.
Source: CNA
