STOCKHOLM–Confirming who was responsible for last year’s Nord Stream pipelines blasts will be difficult, a Swedish public prosecutor said Thursday.
Mats Ljungqvist, who is in charge of investigating September’s detonations at the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines that connect Europe and Russia, said in a statement that the inquiry is proving to be complex.
Previously, the investigation found that the incident involved “gross sabotage” after traces of explosives were found on objects seized from the scene.
“The focus for the Swedish investigation is primarily about examining if Swedish interest or Swedish security is threatened, for example if Swedish territory was used to carry out the sabotage,” Mr. Ljungqvist said Thursday.
“Our hope is to be able to confirm who has committed this crime, but it should be noted that it likely will be difficult given the circumstances.”
Last year, a series of underwater explosions tore apart three of the four main Nord Stream pipes built to carry natural gas from Russia to Germany, prompting investigators from Germany, Sweden and Denmark– with the help of the U.S. and other Western allies–to probe the blasts.
