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Sweden opts out of joint Nord Stream probe with Germany and Denmark

Sweden has decided against taking part in a joint investigation of the Nord Stream gas pipeline leakages with Denmark and Germany.

Published: 14 October 2022 14:37 CEST

Sweden opts out of joint Nord Stream probe with Germany and Denmark

Pipes at the industrial plant of the Nord Stream 1 Baltic Sea pipeline in Lubmin, northeastern Germany, in August 2022. Sweden will no longer take part in a joint investigations of the Nord Stream pipeline links, according to reports in Germany on Friday. Photo: Odd ANDERSEN / AFP

Sweden will no longer take part in a joint investigation of the Nord Stream pipeline leaks, German magazine Der Spiegel reported on Friday, citing German security sources.

The Nordic country does not want to share results of its own investigations with other countries, according to the report. The exact security concerns that have resulted in Sweden dropping out of the joint investigation are unclear.

German police have completed investigations of the suspected sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines and have submitted their conclusions to the joint investigation, a spokesperson for the German interior ministry said on Friday.

Earlier this week, Sweden said it would not allow Russia to join the ongoing probe of the pipeline leaks but added that Moscow could carry out its own inspections.

Swedish prime minister Magdalena Andersson’s statement followed earlier requests from Russia to be included in investigations into the alleged sabotage.

“In Sweden, preliminary investigations are confidential, and this is of course also true in this case,” Andersson told a press conference.

READ ALSO: Russia aggrieved at Germany, Denmark and Sweden over Nord Stream probe

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Danish investigators close Nord Stream sabotage probe

“Based on the investigation, the authorities can conclude that the sabotage of the pipelines was intentional,” Copenhagen Police said in a statement.

“At the same time, it is also assessed that there is not the necessary basis for pursuing a criminal case in Denmark,” it said.

Neighbouring Sweden closed its investigation in early February citing a lack of jurisdiction, meaning only Germany now has an ongoing investigation into the leaks.

Four large gas leaks were discovered on Nord Stream’s two pipelines off the Danish island of Bornholm, with seismic institutes recording two underwater explosions just before.

The pipelines had been at the centre of geopolitical tensions as Russia cut gas supplies to Europe in suspected retaliation for Western sanctions over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

While the leaks were in international waters, two were in Denmark’s exclusive economic zone and two in Sweden’s.

The pipelines were not in operation when the leaks occurred, but they still contained gas which spewed up through the water and into the atmosphere.

Denmark, Sweden and Germany all opened investigations into the explosions.

All three countries have kept a tight lid on their investigations, which analysts have said was because of the potential diplomatic fallout of what they might uncover.

Copenhagen Police said that the investigation — which had been carried out together with Denmark’s intelligence service PET — had been “complicated and extensive.”

It added that it was not in a position to “provide further comments” in the case.

Different theories have emerged pointing the finger at Ukraine, Russia or the United States. All have denied involvement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticised the closure of Denmark’s investigation, calling it “absurd”.

“The situation is close to absurd. On the one hand, they recognise that a deliberate sabotage took place, but on the other hand they are not moving forward,” Peskov said on Monday.

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