Finnish police investigating the damage last year to two telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea linking Finland and Estonia said Friday their criminal investigation into the damage has been completed.
The apparent sabotage on December 31 was one of several cases affecting undersea infrastructure in the Baltic since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Soon after, Finland seized the cargo ship Fitberg – which was flying the flag of the Caribbean state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines – while it was en route from Russia to Israel, suspecting it of involvement in damaging cables connecting Helsinki and Tallin.
Two people were arrested soon after.
What did the police say about the investigation?
“The investigation concluded with four suspects, three of whom are subject to a travel ban.”Police said in a statement.
Police said they investigated suspected serious criminal damage and attempted criminal damage as well as serious interference with telecommunications. Two subsea cables owned by Elisa Oyj and Arelian Finland Oy were affected.
“The criminal investigation has been completed and the case will now be referred to the prosecuting authorities for consideration of charges,” police said.
Various Finnish and Estonian authorities contributed to the investigation, with a special joint investigation team formed for the task.
Police said the ship was detained until mid-January as part of the investigation. Evidence was taken from the damage site, from the ship, and from “devices belonging to crew members”.
“The investigation involved interviews, underwater surveys and extensive inter-agency cooperation, among other measures,” police said.
Why is the Baltic region on high alert?
Security concerns have increased in the Baltic region following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Finland, which borders Russia and remained neutral throughout the Cold War, sought and received admission to the NATO military alliance in response to the war.
As well as the most famous damage to undersea infrastructure, the explosion and damage to Russia’s Nordstream gas pipelines, since 2022 several incidents have affected other undersea cables and pipelines in the region.
In response, NATO increased its security capabilities protecting the waters, with additional patrols by ships, aircraft and drones.
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Edited by: Sam Dusan Inayatullah