Seizure of suspected ship in the cable damage incident is suspended

Published 3 February 2025

The seizure of the ship suspected of gross sabotage of a communications cable between Sweden and Latvia in the Baltic Sea has been suspended by the prosecutor, the reason being that the investigation revealed that it is not a question of sabotage.

During the night of Sunday, 26 January, damages were discovered on a communications cable and a preliminary investigation was launched. A ship that was suspected to have been involved in the damages was seized.

The preliminary investigation clearly shows that it is not a case of sabotage. A combination of bad weather and faulty equipment as well as poor seamanship contributed to the cable being damaged. The prosecutor has now suspended the seizure of the suspected ship.

The criminal investigation into this matter is being conducted by the Swedish Security Service, and is headed by a National Security Unit prosecutor as it could have involved a serious crime targeted towards Sweden. In connection with the investigation, many interrogations have been held, items have been seized and analysed and a crime scene investigation has also taken place.

We have cooperated with several other authorities in this inquiry, in particular the Swedish Coast Guard, the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Police Authority. This cooperation has allowed for an efficient investigation in order to determine the causes of the cable damage.

The preliminary investigation is still ongoing to determine if any other offences are suspected in connection with the cable damages.

Press release from the prosecutor

Published

 3 February 2025

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