Sweden has officially concluded its investigation into the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, as announced by prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist in a recent press release according to Swedish Expressen. Despite a thorough and systematic investigation, including the analysis of numerous ship movements, extensive crime scene investigations, and several interviews, the Swedish authorities have determined they lack jurisdiction over the case. Consequently, the decision has been made to discontinue the Swedish preliminary investigation.
Ljungqvist stated, "Given the current situation, we can conclude that Swedish jurisdiction is lacking." As a result, the focus shifts to the ongoing investigation in Germany, with the Swedish investigative materials being transferred in hopes of bolstering the German inquiry.
The prosecutor emphasized the secrecy surrounding international legal cooperation, which limits further commentary on the collaboration or the conclusions of the Swedish investigation, including any potential suspects identified during the inquiry.
Highlighting the collaborative efforts, Ljungqvist praised the international cooperation among several countries, particularly Denmark and Germany, for the continuous exchange of information and insights. He also lauded the Swedish Navy and Coast Guard for their rapid and effective actions in securing the crime scene, which were crucial for reaching the current stage of the investigation.
The closure of the Swedish investigation marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to understand and respond to the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines. As the German investigation continues, it remains to be seen how the evidence and materials provided by Sweden will contribute to uncovering the circumstances surrounding this international incident.
Expressen's investigations, part of an international collaboration, revealed that a fifteen-meter-long sailboat, suspected of being used in the sabotage, was located in the small marina at Sandhamn in Blekinge less than two weeks before the explosions. Sandhamn, situated at the southeastern tip of Blekinge, north of the explosion sites, became a focal point for media coverage, with Expressen being the first media company to film the damaged pipeline on the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
