The Finnish Central Criminal Police announced that, based on the preliminary investigation, a criminal case has been initiated concerning the damage to the marine cable connecting Finland and Germany.
The case is being investigated as intentional damage under aggravating circumstances, as well as interference with communications. The decision was made in cooperation with the Finnish Prosecutor General’s Office.
Earlier, the Financial Times reported that Sweden is examining the possible involvement of the Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 in the cable damages in the Baltic Sea. The vessel, owned by the Chinese company Ningbo Yipeng Shipping, was traveling from the Russian port of Ust-Luga to Egypt and passed near the areas where cables between Finland and Germany, as well as between Sweden and Lithuania, were damaged. After the incident, the Danish Navy tracked the vessel’s movements.
The company Cinia Oy, operator of the C-Lion1 cable, reported a fault in the underwater telecommunications network between Finland and Germany. In response, both countries expressed concern and launched a thorough investigation. It has also been reported that damage was found in the underwater cable between Sweden and Lithuania, and Swedish authorities are conducting their own investigation.
