World · Europe · 14 hrs ago
Trial begins over alleged explosives attack on ICE train near Siegburg
A 20-year-old man from Aachen is on trial at the Aachen Regional Court over an incident on an ICE train near Siegburg in April.
He is accused of setting off two soft-air grenades and planning to stab passengers; the charge is attempted murder.
The explosions sent plastic pellets flying, lightly injuring 10 people among about 180 passengers.
A train employee and a passenger reportedly locked the man in a toilet until federal police arrived, preventing the alleged knife attack from going ahead.
Investigators initially suspected a politically motivated crime, but that suspicion was not confirmed, and the motive remains unclear.
If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison, and the court will also consider whether to reserve preventive detention.
Eight hearing days are scheduled through mid-December.
A trial is set to begin in Aachen over an alleged explosives attack on an ICE train near Siegburg in April.
The 20-year-old defendant is accused of detonating two devices and planning a knife attack on passengers.
Ten people were lightly injured by flying plastic pellets, and at least one was treated in hospital for acoustic trauma.
A railway employee and a passenger reportedly detained the defendant in a train toilet until federal police arrived.
Investigators say the motive remains unclear, and a suspected politically motivated motive was not confirmed.
- Who
- A 20-year-old German citizen from Aachen is on trial.
- What
- He is accused of detonating two devices on an ICE train and planning a knife attack on passengers. He faces a charge of attempted murder.
- When
- The alleged attack took place on April 2. The trial was due to begin on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
- Where
- On an ICE train near Siegburg, near Bonn; the trial is being held at Aachen Regional Court.
- Why
- The motive is not known. Investigators say a suspected politically motivated motive was not confirmed.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The alleged attack took place on an ICE train near Siegburg.
A railway employee and a passenger reportedly detained the suspect in a train toilet until federal police arrived.
The trial was due to begin at Aachen Regional Court.
- Defendant
- 20-year-old German citizen from Aachen
- Train passengers
- Around 180 were on board
- Devices
- Two Softair grenades
- Injuries
- 10 people were lightly injured by flying plastic pellets
- Trial schedule
- Eight hearing days planned through mid-December
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