Man held over the Borussia bus blast
A MAN aged 28 who was arrested yesterday in connection with a bomb attack on the Borussia Dortmund team bus had taken out a five-figure loan to bet on a drop in the club’s share price.
The suspect – a German-Russian duel citizen identified only as Sergej W – was snared near Tübingen in south-west Germany.
He faces charges of attempted murder, causing an explosion and serious bodily harm.
Dortmund defender Marc Bartra and a policeman were injured in the triple blasts on April 11.
The bus was heading to the team’s stadium for a Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie.
Investigators found notes at the scene claiming responsibility on behalf of Islamic extremists but doubted their authenticity – and it now appears financial gain was the motive.
Prosecution spokeswoman Frauke Koehler said the man held had bought financial derivatives on the day of the attack.
Investigators are still trying to determine how big a profit he might have made.
Prosecutors said: “A significant share price drop could have been expected if a player had been seriously injured or even killed as a result of the attack.”
Ralf Jaeger, the top security official in North Rhine-Westphalia state, said the suspect had hoped to earn millions.
He added: “The man appears to have wanted to commit murder out of greed.”
Prosecutors do not believe the suspect was helped by others.