Officials have released new details in the probe into a Chinese ship detained by Danish authorities earlier this month. The ship is believed to be responsible for severing critical communication lines in the Baltic Sea.
Investigators told The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, Nov. 27, they suspect the crew of the Chinese-owned bulk carrier vessel filled with Russian fertilizer purposely let the ship’s anchor drag for more than 100 miles to cut the cable lines between European allies.
Now, the investigation is reportedly focusing on whether the ship, which left a Russian port, worked with Moscow intelligence to commit the alleged sabotage.
A senior European investigator told The Wall Street Journal that it’s “extremely unlikely” that the captain of the ship failed to notice his vessel had dropped and dragged its anchor. Investigators noted the ship lost “speed for hours” as a result.
The ship’s owner is reportedly cooperating with the investigation, but the company declined to comment on the ongoing probe.
The severing of the undersea cables happened in the Baltic Sea between Nov. 17 and Nov. 18.
Investigators revealed they found data that showed the vessel dropped its anchor in Swedish territory and kept dragging the anchor as it cut the first cable lines between Sweden and Lithuania.
Authorities say around 3 a.m. the following day, the ship cut a second communication line between Germany and Finland after more than 100 miles of travel.
Shortly after the incident, investigators note, the ship raised its anchor and continued until the Danish navy intercepted the vessel and detained it.
A review of the ship’s anchor reportedly revealed damage officials say is consistent with dragging.
The crew is captained by a Chinese national and it includes a Russian sailor. However, they’ve yet to be questioned as part of the investigation.
Western intelligence officials acknowledged they don’t think China is behind the incident but suspect Russian intelligence agencies may be behind the sabotage of the communication lines between NATO allies.
The Kremlin called the accusations “absurd” and “unsubstantiated.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told The Wall Street Journal, “I would like to reiterate China’s consistent support working with all countries to maintain the security of international submarine cables and other infrastructure in accordance with international law.”
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Author: Karah Rucker
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