At 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning, the federal police carried out a raid in Leipzig targeting suspected people smugglers. The officers simultaneously searched properties in the city, in particular apartments in the Grünau district and in the city center. The background to this is a case against two Syrian suspects for smuggling in foreigners.
The police forced their way into the apartment of a 32-year-old man in Grünau, but were unable to find him there. He was later arrested at his workplace. The second suspect, 29 years old, was provisionally arrested in his inner-city apartment.
The two are alleged to have smuggled 36 Syrians into the EU via the Balkan route in December 2023. The operation, in which 40 officers were involved, was based on investigations by the Leipzig Federal Police, in contrast to previous operations by the JIT "Bohemia".
Investigators seized extensive evidence during the searches, including smartphones, dangerous objects and 3000 euros in cash. The investigation is ongoing.
