European officials investigate Chinese ship over Baltic Sea cable sabotage allegations
European investigators boarded a Chinese ship in Copenhagen to investigate the potential destruction of Baltic Sea underwater cables. The investigation is being conducted by representatives from Germany, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark.
In brief
Representatives of Germany, Sweden, Finland and Denmark boarded the Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 in Copenhagen on 19 December as part of an investigation into damage to two subsea fibre-optic cables in the Baltic Sea. The cables linking Finland with Germany and Sweden with Lithuania were damaged on 17 to 18 November, and the vessel Yi Peng 3 had left the Russian port of Ust-Luga on 15 November. German defence minister Boris Pistorius pointed to sabotage as the most likely cause, and Swedish prosecutors are continuing their inquiry. Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson called for the vessel to be handed back to Sweden.
Na zdjęciu statek Yi Peng 3 fot. Storebaelt Bridge webcam
On December 19th, China allowed representatives from Germany, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark to board a Chinese bulk carrier, Yi Peng 3, for an investigation into the damage of two undersea fiber-optic cables in the Baltic Sea. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen confirmed this.
The cables that connect Finland to Germany and Sweden to Lithuania were damaged on November 17-18. The Yi Peng 3, which left the Russian port of Ust-Luga on November 15, has been scrutinised since MarineTraffic data revealed that its coordinates corresponded to the place and timing of the breaches.
According to German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, sabotage is the probable cause. While Swedish police attended the inspection as spectators, they emphasised that the probe on board was led by Chinese officials and was distinct from Sweden's continuing preliminary investigation into probable sabotage.
The ship has been moored in the Kattegat Strait for a month as diplomatic talks continue. Rasmussen stated that Denmark convened a meeting of the relevant countries, overcoming the deadlock and facilitating the joint inspection.
China's foreign ministry claimed that it is in "full communication" with the affected nations and is willing to work together to "safely resolve the incident".
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson had called for the ship's return to Sweden to aid the probe. Western intelligence agencies believe the ship caused the cable breaches, although they disagree on whether the act was accidental or planned.
Swedish prosecutors are continuing their investigation into the suspected sabotage.
Source: Reuters / Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Bartosz Piątek
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