SWEDISH authorities have seized a ship suspected of causing damage to underwater data cables which sparked sabotage fears.
A Maltese-flagged ship – The Vezhen – was taken after officials suspected “external influence” ruined the strategically crucial cables in the Baltic Sea.
EPAThe cargo ship Vezhen has been seized by Swedish authorities[/caption]
RexThe cargo ship has been anchored outside Karlskrona, Sweden, on Monday[/caption]
The damaged data cable connected the Latvian town of Ventspils with the Swedish island Gotland.
Gotland is strategically crucial for Nato due to its position in the Baltic Sea – near Russia‘s two eastern zones – and its potential use as a military zone or base.
A frantic investigation was launched into the suspicious incident, which happened in the politically fraught area.
Prosecutors revealed their initial search pointed to “aggravated sabotage”.
Latvia‘s Prime Minister, Evika Silina, suggested the cause of this suspected attack was external.
A Bulgarian shipping company that owned the seized ship, Navigation Maritime Bulgare, alleged the cable damage was an accident.
On Monday, the business claimed an anchor from The Vezhen dropped to the sea floor during high winds and said the incident was not intentional, in a statement.
Images circling on Swedish media reportedly appear to show the ship’s anchor in a damaged condition.
On Sunday, Latvia’s military reported that three ships were seen in the area at the time and the other two were also being investigated.
Despite this, thousands of vessels typically pass through the Baltic Sea daily.
The cable’s owner, Latvian broadcaster LVRTC, revealed the incident had resulted in some damage to its data transmission services but added service would resume mostly as normal.
The shock incident came just days after Russia accused Nato ships of “abuses” in the Baltic Sea during the group’s patrols of the area.
Nato started new patrol missions in the politically tense sea – less than a month ago – after several apparent underwater power and telecom cable attacks were reported.
Some of these disruptive suspected attacks have been blamed on Russia.
Mark Rutte – Nato’s chief – revealed these journeys would use warships, drones, and even aircraft.
The group has not placed the blame on Russia but it added that Moscow’s “shadow fleet” would be monitored.
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