A suspicious device resembling a remote detonator for explosives halted traffic at the Görlitz-Ludwigsdorf border crossing. The item, found in a motorist's glove compartment, resembled a flat battery with two LED lights. The Ludwigsdorf's federal police announced the incident on a bustling Wednesday, leading to the evacuation of the An der Neiße (North) highway rest area.
The puzzled 43-year-old driver, a French resident, was detained, and his vehicle was confiscated. Bomb disposal experts from the Federal Police inspected the object, eventually giving the all-clear, but not before causing a 90-minute blockage in both traffic directions. The driver was eventually allowed to resume his journey to Belarus, but the police investigation continues.
This incident highlights the growing concern of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), often disguised as common items like automotive jump-starters, used by terrorist groups and insurgents for destruction and chaos. Transportation of such devices is strictly prohibited by international law, such as the Montreal Convention, and violators face severe penalties.
In the context of air travel, any item that could be used to create an IED, including jump-starter components, is subject to stringent security checks. Violators may face removal and destruction of prohibited items, fines, or potential legal action. Furthermore, national regulations, like those in the United States, have extensive efforts to detect and prevent IEDs.
While the Montreal Convention doesn't directly address IEDs disguised as common items, it prohibits transporting dangerous substances or items that could pose a hazard to civil aviation. Specific regulations, such as those in the U.S., focus on IED detection and prevention. Violators face significant penalties for breaking these regulations.
