Danish police announced on Monday that they were closing their investigation into the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea in September 2022, considering that they did not
“have the necessary bases”
for prosecution.
In addition to Denmark, two other investigations had been opened, in Germany and Sweden, and the Swedish public prosecutor's office closed its investigations at the beginning of February without any prosecution, judging that the facts were not within its jurisdiction.
The investigation is still ongoing in Germany.
“Based on the investigation, the authorities can conclude that the sabotage of the gas pipelines was intentional. At the same time, they believe that there is not the necessary basis for continuing a criminal investigation in Denmark
,” the Danish police wrote in a press release.
The Kremlin reacted by denouncing an “absurd” decision.
Read alsoSabotage of Nord Stream 2: the Ukrainian track becomes clearer
A “complex and in-depth” investigation
On September 26, 2022, four huge gas leaks preceded by underwater explosions took place a few hours apart on Nord Stream 1 and 2, pipelines connecting Russia to Germany and transporting most of Russian gas to Europe.
The explosions occurred near the Danish island of Bornholm but
“outside Danish territorial waters
,” the statement said.
Denmark, Germany and Sweden collaborated in the investigation, described as
"complex and in-depth"
, also carried out in cooperation with the Danish intelligence services (PET).
“The PET continues to monitor the evolution of the threat and, in collaboration with other competent authorities, continually implements measures deemed necessary to protect Denmark's critical infrastructure
,” the terse press release underlined.
Responsibility for the explosions was attributed, according to different media investigations, to Ukraine, Russia or the United States, but all denied it.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in particular, has repeatedly denied that his country could be involved.
“I would never do that
,” he told the German daily Bild last June, adding that he
“would like to see proof
. ”