German Hoarded Guns in Bunker 'Fearing Russia Attack'

German police said Friday they had arrested a man who hoarded guns, ammunition and bomb-making material in a nuclear-proof family bunker he built fearing an attack by Russia.

The 59-year-old electrician had constructed the emergency shelter by expanding and reinforcing the basement of his family home in Kelheim in the southern state of Bavaria.

Police said they had confiscated two submachine guns, 80 rifles, 60 handguns, 20,000 rounds of ammunition and 40 kilograms (88 pounds) of materials to make explosives.

"He was afraid of the threat posed by a large eastern European power. He was afraid of Russia," a police spokesman told AFP.

"We don't know when he started construction. He did it all by himself."

The man had also stored food supplies and built underground air filtration and water treatment systems.

There is no evidence he is mentally ill or has extremist political views, police said, adding that the man was arrested on illegal weapons and explosives charges.

Police said they took three days to enter and explore the extensive survival shelter and weapons arsenal, using power tools to crack through the walls.