Masked Attackers Storm Frankfurt Stock Exchange

At least six masked attackers stormed the Frankfurt Stock Exchange today, beating employees and throwing firebombs onto the main trading floor, authorities said. Two people were injured.

A police spokesman said the attack, carried out before trading began, apparently was intended to draw attention to a nationwide prison hunger strike by members and sympathizers of the terrorist Red Army Faction. Three suspects were captured.

Supporters of the prison protest also claimed responsibility for an arson attack today on a branch of the leading West German electronics firm AEG, the spokesman said. No injuries were reported.

The attackers forced their way onto the main floor of the stock exchange by beating up a guard posted at the building’s entrance. The attackers began throwing the firebombs as employees were preparing for the start of trading.

Building Damaged

Six to eight people took part in the “coordinated” attack on the exchange and three people were arrested, the police spokesman said. The other attackers escaped, he said.

Two stock exchange employees were slightly injured when they were beaten during the attack, the spokesman said, and there was some damage to the building in the West German financial capital.

Exchange officials said trading began shortly after the attack.

A police spokesman said the attack occurred at about 10 a.m., 1 1/2 hours before trading started. Only stock exchange employees were in the building at the time.