Updated 10.30 | Published 10.07
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Danish authorities are also closing the investigation into the explosions at the Nord Stream gas pipelines in autumn 2022. Stock image.
1 / 2 Photo: Swedish Coast Guard via AP/TT
The investigation into explosions at the gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2 is also closed in Denmark. As in Sweden, it is stated that they do not have jurisdiction in the matter.
“In light of the investigation, the authorities can reach the conclusion that there was deliberate sabotage of the gas pipelines. At the same time, it is judged that there is not the basis required to prosecute the matter in Denmark,” the Copenhagen police announced in a press release.
On February 7, Swedish prosecutors announced that they had made the corresponding assessment and that the Swedish investigation had been closed. This is because no threat to Sweden’s security, involvement of any Swedish person or that the sabotage was carried out on Swedish territory was found.
However, both countries have agreed since an early stage that it was sabotage.
“Follows the threat picture”
The Danish police authority has investigated the matter in collaboration with the Danish security police PET. The investigation is described as extensive and complicated.
“PET continues to monitor the development of the threat picture and, together with other relevant authorities, carries out measures deemed necessary to protect Denmark’s critical infrastructure,” the authorities’ dispatch says.
Another investigation into the gas pipeline sabotage is underway in Germany. In connection with the closing of the Swedish investigation, TT asked the prosecutor why Germany considers itself to have jurisdiction.
– I don’t want to go into how they think. But for some reason it’s the way they judge they have it, and it’s also dependent on each country’s national law for jurisdiction. I have made my assessment based on the Swedish legislation, replied prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist then, on 7 February.
Material from the Swedish investigation has been forwarded to prosecutors in Germany.
Russia via the seabed
At the end of September 2022, four leaks were discovered on the gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2, which run from Russia to Germany along the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
Two of the leaks were in the Swedish economic zone, northeast of Bornholm, and two in the Danish economic zone, southeast of Bornholm. Countries’ economic zone is not the same as territorial waters.
Seismic measurements showed that explosions had taken place in the sea before the leaks were found, and about two months later the Swedish prosecutor confirmed that the lines had been subjected to deliberate explosions.