COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Swedish officials said Wednesday that they have decided to close their investigation into the September 2022 explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which were built to carry Russian natural gas to Germany, because they don’t have jurisdiction.
Sweden's investigation was only one of three into the explosions. Denmark and Germany are also examining the blasts.
The attack, which happened as Europe attempted to wean itself off Russian energy sources following the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, contributed to tensions that followed the start of the war. The source of the sabotage has been a major international mystery.
Public prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist from the Swedish Prosecution Authority said in a statement that ”the investigation has been systematic and thorough.”
”Against the background of the situation we now have, we can state that Swedish jurisdiction does not apply.”
Ljungqvist added that "the German investigation continues and due to the secrecy that prevails in international legal cooperation, I cannot comment further on the cooperation that has taken place.”
“I will also not be able to comment anything further on the conclusions of the Swedish investigation or comment on any suspected persons in the Swedish investigation,” Ljungqvist said.
He noted “the good cooperation” with Denmark and Germany “where we have continuously shared information and status reports.”
“We have had in-depth cooperation with the investigation conducted by the German authorities. Within the framework of this legal cooperation, we have been able to hand over material that can be used as evidence in the German investigation.”
The Associated Press
