After Sweden, Denmark is also ceasing investigations into the explosions on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 natural gas pipelines. Now only Germany is investigating.
After the Swedish authorities, the Danish authorities have also closed their investigations into the explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines 1 and 2. The investigation showed that there was deliberate sabotage of the pipelines, said the Danish police. However, there is no basis for criminal proceedings in Denmark. It was therefore decided to complete the joint investigation with the Danish secret service PET.
Sweden closed its investigation into the explosions earlier this month, saying it had no jurisdiction in the case. The investigative authorities in Stockholm handed over the clues they found to German investigators. The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office is continuing to investigate, but has not yet published any results.
Sabotage of the pipelines is undisputed
The billion-dollar Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines were intended to transport Russian gas through the Baltic Sea. Nord Stream 2 did not go into operation at all because of the Russian attack on Ukraine.
On September 26, 2022, several explosions were registered near the Danish Baltic Sea island of Bornholm and a short time later four leaks were discovered in three of the four Nord Stream 1 and 2 lines. All spills occurred in international waters, two each in the exclusive economic zones of Sweden and Denmark. Investigations were then started in the two Scandinavian countries as well as in Germany.
The responsible Swedish public prosecutor, Mats Ljungqvist, had already determined in November 2022 that the leaks were due to serious sabotage. The Copenhagen police also said that the authorities had come to the conclusion during the complex and comprehensive investigation that there was deliberate sabotage of the pipelines.
Russia and the West blamed each other for the sabotage. Both sides denied involvement. It is still unclear who is actually responsible for this.
Christian Stichler, ARD Stockholm, tagesschau, February 26, 2024 3:42 p.m