"We can conclude that there have been detonations at Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Swedish exclusive economic zone that has led to extensive damage to the gas pipelines," public prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist said in a statement. "Pieces of evidence have been gathered at the crime scene and these will now be examined," the prosecutor said.
- While the pipelines are not currently in operation, they both still contained gas before they fell victim to apparent sabotage.
- The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which connect Russia to Germany, have been at the centre of geopolitical tensions as Russia cut gas supplies to Europe in suspected retaliation against Western sanctions following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
- Inspection of two of the leaks at the Nord Stream gas pipelines connecting Russia and Europe has reinforced suspicions that they were acts of sabotage, Swedish authorities said on Thursday.
- The prosecutor did not disclose details, citing the confidentiality of the investigation and stating that "the issue is very sensitive".
- All of the four leaks, which were discovered on Monday last week, are in the Baltic Sea off the Danish island of Bornholm.
- The authority said on Thursday that the restrictions had been lifted following the completion of the inspection.
- Both Washington and Moscow have denied responsibility for the leaks.
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