Mon Dec 23 17:26:39 UTC 2024: ## Sweden Accuses China of Obstructing Baltic Sea Cable Sabotage Probe
**Stockholm/Beijing** – Sweden has accused China of obstructing its investigation into the suspected sabotage of two undersea Baltic Sea cables in November, alleging that Beijing denied a request for Swedish prosecutors to board a Chinese freighter, the *Yi Peng 3*, suspected of involvement.
The incident, which saw sections of two telecom cables – one linking Finland and Germany, the other Sweden and Lithuania – severed, sparked international concern. Suspicion quickly fell on the *Yi Peng 3*, which was tracked near the cables around the time of the damage. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius described the event as likely sabotage.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard confirmed that despite an ongoing investigation initiated by China, Sweden’s request to allow prosecutors to conduct a preliminary investigation aboard the *Yi Peng 3* was refused. “Our request that Swedish prosecutors… be allowed to take certain investigative measures… remains,” Stenergard stated.
While Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning claimed China had provided information and invited Germany, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark to participate in the inquiry, she did not address the specific refusal of access to Swedish investigators. Mao stated that the *Yi Peng 3* was temporarily suspended and subsequently resumed its voyage after consultation with involved parties to safeguard the crew’s well-being.
On Thursday, officials from Sweden, Germany, and Finland were allowed to observe a Chinese-led investigation of the *Yi Peng 3*. A Danish representative also participated, having facilitated earlier meetings between the countries. However, Swedish prosecutor Henrik Soderman confirmed that no Swedish investigative measures, such as questioning crew members or conducting technical investigations, have been taken.
European officials have speculated about a potential link between the sabotage and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a claim the Kremlin has dismissed. The incident underscores escalating tensions in the Baltic region and highlights the challenges of international cooperation in investigating complex incidents with potential geopolitical implications.
First Piper 