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Sweden’s security service (SAPO) said Wednesday that it would investigate unexplained explosions and leaks on the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea, calling them “aggravated sabotage.”
SAPO was taking over the investigation from police because “it could relate to a serious crime that could at least in part be directed at Swedish interests,” it said.
The intelligence agency added “it couldn’t be ruled out that a foreign power is behind it”.
In separate statements, SAPO and the Swedish Prosecution Authority said the investigation was currently being directed at potential “aggravated sabotage.”
On Monday, leaks occurred in the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea off the coast of the Danish island of Bornholm.
Seismic institutes on Tuesday reported they had recorded “in all likelihood” explosions in the area prior to the leaks being detected.
Moscow and Washington both denied Wednesday that they were responsible for the suspected sabotage.
EU chief Ursula Von der Leyen on Tuesday said “sabotage” caused the leaks. She threatened the “strongest possible response” to any deliberate disruption of European energy infrastructure.
The EU has not named a potential perpetrator or suggested a reason for the suspected sabotage.
“Any deliberate disruption of European energy infrastructure is utterly unacceptable and will be met with a robust and united response,” said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Wednesday.
The UN Security Council will convene on Friday at the request of Russia to discuss the damage. The French UN mission, which…
Source : france24
