Suche
Mein Konto
Swedish police investigate Chinese ship over severed cables
Swedish police board the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3 as part of an investigation into cable breaks in the Baltic Sea. The incident raises international concerns about possible sabotage.
Swedish police investigate Chinese ship over severed cables
Swedish police said Thursday that they had boarded the Yi Peng 3 ship, which is at the center of an investigation into cable breaches in the Baltic Sea. This happened at the invitation of the Chinese authorities.
Inspection for cable damage
The Chinese bulk carrier is in Sweden for a hearing Breach of two submarine cables wanted in November. The ship has been anchored in neighboring waters for a month while diplomats in Stockholm and Beijing discussed the incident.
Suspicion of sabotage
Investigators quickly focused on the ship, which left the Russian port of Ust-Luga on November 15. A Reuters analysis of MarineTraffic data showed the ship's coordinates matched the time and location of the cable breaches.
Swedish police as assessor
Swedish police said Thursday that they were only on board the Yi Peng 3 as an observer while Chinese authorities investigated.
“In parallel, the preliminary investigation into sabotage in connection with the two cable breaks in the Baltic Sea continues,” police added in a statement. The measures taken aboard the ship on Thursday were not part of the Swedish-led preliminary investigation.
Role of the Danish authorities
Danish authorities are supporting the visit to the bulk carrier, which is anchored in the Kattegat Strait between Denmark and Sweden, police said.
Damage to submarine cables
The Baltic Sea cables, one connecting Finland to Germany and the other Sweden to Lithuania, were damaged on November 17th and 18th. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed the assumption that this could be due to sabotage.
Investigations in the exclusive economic zone
The violations occurred in Sweden's exclusive economic zone, and Swedish prosecutors are leading the investigation on suspicion of possible sabotage.
International reactions
Western intelligence officials from several countries are certain that the Chinese ship caused the damage to both cables. However, they expressed different opinions as to whether these were accidents or possibly intentional acts.
Call from the Swedish Prime Minister
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has asked the ship to return to Sweden to assist with the investigation. There was no immediate comment from the Chinese Foreign Ministry outside of business hours on Thursday.