The prosecutor leading the investigation into the sabotage of the cable between Sweden and Latvia says that authorities have acted very quickly.
We suspect that a serious sabotage occurred in the Swedish economic zone yesterday. Several authorities were summoned on short notice and began handling this incident, says prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist to TT.
According to TT's photographer on the scene, the ship Vezhens has a damaged anchor. Pictures of the ship from last July show an intact anchor, but it is unclear when the damage occurred.
Interrogation of the crew
Ljungqvist does not want to comment on the pictures, citing the investigation. The investigation is being conducted by the Security Police, as a potential crime could be directed against Swedish interests.
I decided yesterday that this ship would be seized and a search would be conducted in order to carry out a range of investigative measures, says Mats Ljungqvist and continues:
It is clear that there are thoughts about holding interrogations with the crew, otherwise I cannot comment on anything.
Denies the crime
Aleksandr Kaltjev, CEO of the Bulgarian shipping company Navigation Maritime Bulgare, denies that the ship caused the damage intentionally.
He has repeatedly claimed that an anchor "came loose" due to bad weather.
We don't know exactly how long the anchor was out or exactly when it happened. But it doesn't necessarily mean that the ship caused the damage or that it was intentional. We don't believe it and it's something the investigation will look at.
According to Kaltjev, Navigation Maritime Bulgare has full control over the company, while China is only a financier.
Coast Guard on the scene
The ship Vezhen, which is the subject of the investigation, is currently located just south of Aspö off Karlskrona. The Coast Guard and the Police Authority are assisting in the investigation.
"It's about specialized competence in areas such as IT forensics, forensic technology, and interrogation leadership," says Per Engström, commander at Noa, according to a press release.
Swedish territorial waters
Unlike the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3, which is also the subject of an investigation into serious sabotage, Vezhen is located in Swedish territorial waters, which means that Swedish authorities have jurisdiction to board the ship.
This opens up for entirely different investigative measures, says Coast Guard spokesperson Mattias Lindholm.
Mats Ljungqvist does not want to comment on whether the ship moved into Swedish territorial waters of its own accord or if there were any pressures, which the shipping company claims.
How the operation has gone is something I cannot comment on, he says.
