Suspicious object triggers temporary closure at the Görlitz-Ludwigsdorf border crossing

A suspicious object in a driver's glove compartment has temporarily paralyzed the Görlitz-Ludwigsdorf border crossing on the A4 to Dresden. The part resembling a flat battery with two LEDs gave the impression of a remote detonator for an explosive charge, the federal police in Ludwigsdorf announced on Wednesday.

As a result, the An der Neiße (Nord) freeway service area was cleared on Wednesday morning, the vehicle was seized and the 43-year-old driver was taken into custody. Specialists from the Federal Police's defusing service examined the object and gave the all-clear. During this time, the highway was completely closed in both directions - for one and a half hours.

According to the man, who lives in France, the object is said to have been an aid for starting vehicles. The product is available to buy in France. According to the man himself, he had visited a friend in Belarus and was on his way back. He was eventually allowed to continue his journey. However, investigations are continuing, it was said. Federal police officers had checked the car as part of the temporarily reintroduced EU internal border controls.