Denmark stops investigation into Nord Stream pipeline explosion

Denmark has stopped investigating the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline from Russia to Germany in September 2022, a decision criticized by Moscow as "ridiculous".

"Based on the investigation, the authorities can conclude that the sabotage of the pipeline was intentional. At the same time, the authorities also assessed that there was not enough basis to initiate a criminal case," Danish police said today, referring to the Nord Stream gas pipeline from Russia to Germany that was sabotaged in 2022.

According to Danish police, due to insufficient grounds to pursue the case, Copenhagen decided to end the investigation, a move that was met with opposition from Russia.

"The situation is ridiculous. They admit that sabotage was committed, but they do not continue the investigation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, accusing Denmark of repeatedly refusing to share information about the investigation.

Air bubbles emerge from a leak on Nord Stream 2 with a diameter of about 1 km in the Baltic Sea, near the Danish island of Bornholm, September 27, 2022. Photo: Reuters — Air bubbles emerge from a leak on Nord Stream 2 with a diameter of about 1 km in the Baltic Sea, near the Danish island of Bornholm, September 27, 2022. Photo: *Reuters*

The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines from Russia to Germany across the Baltic Sea were damaged by explosions in September 2022. The pipelines were not operational at the time. Two Nord Stream leaks were in Sweden's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and two were in Denmark's EEZ.

Denmark, along with Sweden and Germany, the three countries closest to the scene, later opened an investigation, concluding that it was an act of sabotage, but refused to allow Russia to join the effort to find the cause.

Sweden announced on February 7 that it had no jurisdiction and stopped its investigation. Stockholm handed over documents that could be used as evidence in Berlin's ongoing investigation. Mr. Peskov said at the time that Russia would continue to monitor the investigation by German authorities.

Russia and the West have accused each other of being behind the explosions, without providing evidence. Russia's Federal Security Service has opened an investigation into "international terrorism" linked to the sabotage. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would be transparent about the results of its investigation.