Sweden’s security service (SAPO) said Wednesday that it would investigate unexplained explosions and leaks on the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea, branding them “aggravated sabotage.”
SAPO was taking over the investigation from police because “it could relate to a serious crime that could at least in part be directed at Swedish interests,” it said.
The intelligence agency added “it couldn’t be ruled out that a foreign power is behind it”.
In separate statements, SAPO and the Swedish Prosecution Authority said the investigation was currently being directed at potential “aggravated sabotage.”
On Monday, three leaks appeared on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, in the Baltic Sea off the coast of the Danish island of Bornholm.
Seismic institutes on Tuesday reported they had recorded “in all likelihood” explosions in the area, prior to the leaks being detected.
Moscow and Washington both denied Wednesday that they were responsible for the suspected sabotage.
The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines have been at the centre of geopolitical tensions in recent months as Russia cut gas supplies to Europe in suspected retaliation against Western sanctions following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
While the pipelines — operated by a consortium majority-owned by Russian gas giant Gazprom — are not currently in operation, they both still contain gas.
According to Danish authorities, the leaks will continue until the gas in the pipelines is exhausted, which is expected to occur on Sunday.
