Two Syrians come forward to police over damaged Leipzig airport fence

Two Syrian nationals, aged 20 and 32, presented themselves to police in Leipzig on Monday in connection with damage to a security fence beside a runway at Leipzig airport in eastern Germany. The police of the state of Saxony announced this. Both men arrived accompanied by lawyers.

The airport had recently been the target of a Russian sabotage act, which is why the incident drew considerable media attention.

What those involved say

The lawyer of the 20-year-old said his client was at the wheel even though he has no driving licence. After losing control of the vehicle, he broke through the fence by the runway and fled the scene. An Audi car was later removed from the site by a tow truck.

The 32-year-old, who described himself as the car's owner, gave no further information.

The news agency DPA, citing security service sources, reported that the men told police the younger one wanted to practise driving before his driving test and could not keep the car under control.

Investigation

On the prosecutors' order, the 20-year-old's flat was searched. An investigation has been opened against him for driving without a licence and for leaving the scene of an accident without police permission.

Police are checking whether the 32-year-old really handed the car to an acquaintance who has no driving licence.

The fence damage was discovered in the night to Sunday. As a result, operations in the northern part of the airport were briefly suspended.