Mystery in the Baltic: Probe launched into cable sabotage
The Stockholm prosecutor's office announced on Sunday evening the launch of an investigation into possible sabotage in the Baltic Sea, involving the seizure of a ship suspected of damaging an underwater cable between Sweden and Latvia.
"We are currently undertaking several specific actions, but I cannot disclose what they entail due to the ongoing investigation," prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist emphasized in a statement.
Due to the national interest threat, the SAPO special services are involved in the case. The Swedish police, coast guard, and armed forces are also participating in the investigation.
Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson assured that his country is "closely cooperating with Latvia and NATO" regarding this incident.
It has not been disclosed which vessel is affected by the prosecutor's decision to seize it. According to the "Aftonbladet" newspaper's website, near Karlskrona, southeast of Sweden's coast, there is a cargo ship named Vezhen, sailing under the Maltese flag. On Friday, the vessel left the Russian port of Ust-Luga. A Swedish coast guard ship is present nearby.
Damaged fiber optic cable
The underwater fiber-optic cable laid on the Baltic Sea floor between the western coast of Latvia and the Swedish island of Gotland was damaged on Sunday morning, as reported by Latvian media.
According to the Latvian broadcaster LSM, the damage likely resulted from an "external impact."
Disruptions in data transmission between the Latvian city of Windawa (Ventspils) and Gotland were recorded. So far, the damages haven't had a significant impact on service delivery in Latvia. The authorities are investigating the matter, and alternative methods of data transmission are being utilized, as media emphasized.
The Latvian Broadcasting and Television Center (LVRTC) stated that the cable is located at a depth of about 164 feet, and according to preliminary information, the location of the damage is situated in Sweden's exclusive economic zone.
Latvian navy dispatched a ship
Regarding the incident, Latvia's Prime Minister Evika Silina convened a meeting of the relevant ministries and services. She emphasized that Riga is cooperating with NATO and the Baltic Sea region countries to clarify the circumstances of the incident. She noted, "We have asked Sweden to participate in the investigation and have been promised all possible assistance," during a press conference.
The Latvian navy dispatched a patrol vessel to the region where the cable lies, and an order was issued to inspect a ship that might have been involved in the incident.
As informed, the bulk carrier Michalis San, sailing under the Maltese flag, was inspected. According to maritime tracking services, the vessel arrived from South America and, as LSM reported, was "likely heading to Russia." "No suspicious activity or anchor damage was observed on the ship," it was reported after the unit inspection by the services.
At the same time, the movements of two other ships that passed through the region are being monitored, but it was emphasized that they were outside Latvia's territorial waters and its exclusive economic zone.
The Sunday incident marks another case of damage to underwater cables laid on the Baltic Sea floor.
