German Police Arrest Suspect in Leimen Church Arson; Probe Reutlingen Substation Blaze

Police in the town of Leimen, Germany, have arrested a 26‑year‑old man suspected of setting fire to the under‑construction Syriac Orthodox St. Mariain church. Investigators say there is no political or religious motive behind the attack. The mayor praised the rapid work of the police and fire services and emphasized the community’s solidarity.

In the neighbouring city of Reutlingen, authorities are examining evidence of a possible arson attack on an electricity substation that caused a large‑scale power outage. Approximately 40,000 residents and around 7,600 buildings were affected, and the incident inflicted damage estimated in the multi‑million‑euro range. No suspect or motive has been identified yet, and the state security office continues to analyse the fire‑accelerant traces.

Both investigations are ongoing, with the Leimen case moving to prosecution and the Reutlingen inquiry focusing on whether the blaze was a deliberate attack on critical infrastructure.