100m blast radius of `terror attack` in Dortmund as one suspect arrested

One suspect has been held as a note left at the scene suggests a possible terror motive for the attack on Borussia Dortmund`s team bus, prosecutors say. Investigators are focusing on two suspected Islamic extremists and have searched their homes — but authorities said a range of other motives are still possible for the three explosives that hit the bus before their Champions League game against AS Monaco on Tuesday evening (April 11). One of the suspects, a man, was arrested Frauke Koehler, a spokesperson for the German federal prosecutors, also revealed the explosive devices used in the attack contained metal pins, one of which buried its way into a headrest on the vehicle. The blast radius of the attack was about 100 metres. Ms Koehler told a news conference on Wednesday (April 12) that “we can talk about luck that nothing worse happened”. Dortmund`s Spanish-born centre back Marc Bartra was injured in the explosions, and has had surgery on his arm and wrist, while a police officer accompanying the coach on a motorbike suffered from blast trauma and shock Detectives found three copies of a note at the scene. It demanded a withdrawal of Germany`s Tornado reconnaissance jets that are helping to fight against the so-called Islamic State (Daesh) group and a closure of the U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Federal prosecutors took over the case on the basis that a “terrorist background” is likely, but “the exact motive for the attack is still unclear,” Ms Koehler said. “An Islamic extremist background to the attack appears possible.” But Ms Koehler said investigators were still evaluating the credibility of the note, and had significant doubts’ about another claim online giving a left-wing extremist motive for the attack. Tobias Plate, a spokesperson for Germany`s Interior Ministry, said notes at the scene claiming responsibility have not been a feature of past Islamic extremist attacks. German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the attack as “a repugnant act” and praised the “great solidarity” shown by both teams` fans. The match, which was rescheduled for Wednesday night, was attended by German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere. Monaco won 3-2. Meanwhile eight suspected extremists have been arrested over last week’s deadly bomb blast on the St Petersburg metro. Six alleged members of terror cells were held in the city and two in Moscow, said Russia’s intelligence chief Alexander Bortnikov. All are from former Soviet central Asian republics and a large amount of weapons and ammunition were found at their homes, he added. Police are reportedly checking if the Kyrgyz-born bomber, 22-year-old Akbardzhon Dzhalilov, trained with Daesh in Syria.