Sweden says inspection of Nord Stream gas pipelines strengthens sabotage suspicions

STOCKHOLM: An inspection of two leaks at the Nord Stream gas pipelines linking Russia and Europe has reinforced suspicions that they were acts of sabotage, Swedish authorities said on Thursday October 6. Public prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist said in a statement that there had been detonations at Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Swedish exclusive economic zone that has led to extensive damage to the gas pipelines.

Ljungqvist said that the crime scene investigation had strengthened the suspicions of aggravated sabotage Pieces of evidence have been gathered at the crime scene and will now be examined, the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor didn't reveal details of the investigation, citing the confidentiality of the investigation and stating that the issue is very sensitive. Four leaks discovered on Monday are found in the Baltic Sea off the Danish island of Bornholm.

Two of the leaks were in the Swedish exclusive economic zone and the two others in the Danish one.

On Monday, Sweden's Prosecution Authority said it was blocking off the area around the leaks in the Swedish zone in order to carry out an inspection of the scene.

The restrictions had been lifted after the inspection was completed, the authority said on Thursday.

The NordStream 1 and 2 pipelines connecting Russia to Germany have been the centre of geopolitical tensions as Russia cut gas supplies to Europe in a bid to retaliate against Western sanctions after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The pipelines are not currently in operation, but they still contained gas before they fell victim to apparent sabotage.

Both Washington and Moscow deny responsibility for the leaks.