German investigators probe Dortmund bomb 'claims'

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - German investigators have intensified their probe into Tuesday’s bomb attack that targeted the team bus of Borussia Dortmund football club, as two groups separately claimed alleged responsibility for the blasts.

Police confirmed they had discovered one letter near the scene of the explosions but could not yet authenticate the claim of responsibility.

German news agency DPA reported that the letter, written in German, protested Berlin’s support for the global coalition fighting Daesh in northern Syria and Iraq, claiming that German Tornado jets were involved in the killing of Muslims in areas controlled by the terror group.

However, a second letter which has been circulated on the Internet claimed responsibility for the attack and claims it was linked to far-left anti-fascists who have previously accused Dortmund’s management of not taking action against racist and Nazi groups.

The second document has also not been verified.

Germany’s Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, which took over the probe on Tuesday night due to the seriousness of the crime, is expected to hold a news conference later on Wednesday.

Dortmund player Marc Bartra was slightly injured in the attack as the windows of the team bus were blown out by the explosions.

Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final between Borussia Dortmund and Monaco was rescheduled for Wednesday.