The authorities of Stockholm have noted “detonations near Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the exclusive Swedish economic zone, which led to major damage to the pipelines”.
Le Monde with AFP
The first inspections carried out this week by the Swedish authorities on the site of the leaks of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea “strengthen suspicion of sabotage”, announced the prosecution Thursday October 6.
“We can see that there have been detonations near Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the exclusive Swedish economic zone, which have led to major damage to the pipelines,” said the special prosecutor in charge of the Swedish side investigation in a press release. “Inspections on the scene of the incident have strengthened the suspicions of aggravated sabotage. Enteits [of evidence] have been done on the spot and will be examined,” added Mats Ljungqvist.
Access to the site is prohibited
Geopolitical showdown objects in recent months, the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas infrastructure, built to transport Russian gas in Europe, were closely monitored after being damaged by underwater explosions off the Danish island of Bornholm, in the Baltic Sea.
Sweden, which had for the purposes of the survey established on Monday a perimeter of several kilometers to prohibit access to the site, announced the lifting of the restrictions. No details were provided on how the underwater inspections were carried out. On the Swedish side, the intelligence service has taken over the management of the investigation, in connection with the special prosecutor and different authorities.
caused by two explosions of unknown origin on September 26, the huge methane leaks stopped on Monday on North Stream 1. A small leak continued Thursday morning on North Stream 2, according to Swedish coast guards. Several countries have quickly seen a sabotage act. Suspected of being at the origin of the explosions, Russia counterattacks since last week, accusing the United States, who in turn denied all responsibility.