Denmark stops investigation into Nord Stream explosions after concluding it was deliberate sabotage

Danish authorities this Monday announced the closure of the investigation into the sabotage of the Russian gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2, which took place in September 2022, due to the lack of legal grounds to open a criminal case.

“The investigation has led officials to conclude that the gas pipelines were deliberately sabotaged. However, it is estimated that there are not sufficient grounds to criminally pursue this case in Denmark,” a joint statement from the police and Danish intelligence services (PET) said.

The Swedish prosecutor’s office announced it was closing its investigation earlier this month, citing lack of jurisdiction.

The investigation has been “complex and extensive” and Danish authorities have cooperated with “relevant” foreign partners. “PET follows the evolution of the threat scenario and, together with other relevant authorities, implements the necessary measures to protect Denmark’s critical infrastructure,” the statement said. The statement warned that no further explanation would be given about the decision.

Unlike the Swedish authorities, who offered several updates on the case from the responsible prosecutor, the Danish authorities remained silent for the entire year and a half that the preliminary investigation was open.

In total, two leaks were located in each gas pipeline, two in Danish territory and two in Swedish territory, all in international waters, which the affected governments quickly described as “sabotage” in addition to pointing out state responsibility. . actor.

The three main leaks ceased in early October of the same year, when stable pressure was reached in the pipes, but the smallest remained active for a few more days.

None of the gas pipelines were in service when the accidents occurred. The first disrupted supplies when Moscow claimed technical problems, while the second never became operational because it was blocked by the German government following Moscow’s recognition of the self-declared separatist republics of Donbass in February 2022.

Competing hypotheses about authorship

Both the affected countries and the rest of the European Union (EU), the United States, and Russia speak of sabotage, although they differ about possible authorship. Each has denied any involvement and none has claimed responsibility.

Moscow has accused “Anglo-Saxon” countries of being behind it, pointing to opposition to the project that Washington has maintained for years, while some Western countries have pointed in the opposite direction. American journalist Seymour Hersh pointed to American intelligence in collaboration with Norway and other Western countries. Media in the United States and Germany later pointed to a pro-Ukraine group as the author of the sabotage. Earlier, Ukrainian officials had isolated themselves and targeted Russia.

The Kremlin considers Denmark’s decision to close the investigation as “absurd” and causing “complete shock”. “The situation in this case is so clear that we cannot express anything other than complete surprise,” he said at his daily news conference. “The situation in this case is so clear that we cannot express anything other than complete surprise,” he said. “On the one hand, they believe that this is deliberate sabotage and on the other hand, they decide not to continue the investigation,” says Peskov.