Berlin refuses to pay ransom following major data theft

Berlin cyberattack Rhysida hacker group data extortion ransomware government network breach

The Berlin state government has confirmed it is the target of an extortion attempt following a cyberattack on the city’s administrative network in mid-August. Governing Mayor Kai Wegner stated that the city will not comply with the blackmailers' demands.

Forensic investigations revealed data outflows from the Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and Environment between August 7 and August 12, 2026. The Senate Chancellery noted that personal and non-public data may have been compromised. While the city has not released official figures on the volume of stolen data, the hacker group Rhysida has claimed responsibility, alleging they exfiltrated 5.79 terabytes of data and personal information belonging to 12,076 individuals.

The attackers are reportedly demanding a ransom of 30 bitcoins, valued at approximately 2 million euros. State criminal police, the public prosecutor, and federal security authorities are currently investigating the incident.

Entities

AfD · Berlin · Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht · CDU · Die Linke · Eva von Angern · Germany · Kai Wegner · Katja Wolf · Mario Voigt · Rhysida · Sachsen-Anhalt

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] The state election in Saxony-Anhalt is scheduled for September 6. www.harzkurier.de · www.thueringer-allgemeine.de
[● 5 SOURCES] Sven Schulze stated he will not make himself dependent on the Left Party (Die Linke). www.harzkurier.de · www.thueringer-allgemeine.de · www.nrz.de
[● 5 SOURCES] Sven Schulze replaced Reiner Haseloff as Minister President in January. www.harzkurier.de · www.thueringer-allgemeine.de · www.nrz.de
[● 4 SOURCES] The CDU maintains a resolution of incompatibility with the Left Party. www.harzkurier.de · www.thueringer-allgemeine.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Eva von Angern and Sven Schulze use the informal 'Du' to address each other. www.harzkurier.de · www.thueringer-allgemeine.de
[● 2 SOURCES] BSW politician Katja Wolf distances herself from Wagenknecht, stating she will not help the AfD gain power directly. www.focus.de · www.leinetal24.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Sahra Wagenknecht describes parts of the German federal government as 'right-wing extremist'. www.zeit.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Wagenknecht advocates for cooperation with the AfD and criticizes the 'firewall' approach. www.zeit.de
[○ 1 SOURCE] Katja Wolf revealed she has not spoken directly with Sahra Wagenknecht since the party congress on April 26. www.leinetal24.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Wagenknecht defines right-wing extremism as a society based on authoritarianism, suppression of freedom of speech, and the erosion of democracy. www.zeit.de
[○ 1 SOURCE] Thuringian BSW leaders requested the postponement of a special party congress scheduled for September 6 to avoid overshadowing the Saxony-Anhalt state election. www.zeit.de
[○ 1 SOURCE] Sahra Wagenknecht defined right-wing extremism as a society based on authoritarianism and the suppression of free speech, applying this definition to parts of the federal government. www.zeit.de