The Swedish prosecutor investigating the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions said today that the “obvious underlying scenario” is that a state-sponsored group is behind the sabotage. However, the scenario that an independent group is behind it is still “theoretically possible”.

Prosecutor Mats Jungvist also told Reuters that the type of explosives used in the explosions ruled out the presence of a large number of criminals.

In an earlier statement cited by Reuters, the prosecutor said it would likely be difficult to establish who blew up the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline linking Russia and Germany in the Baltic Sea last year.

On September 26, pipeline explosions occurred in the exclusive economic zones of Sweden and Denmark. The explosion in the Swedish EEZ occurred at a depth of 80 meters, and the prosecutor said that the investigation into it was complex.

“We hope to be able to confirm who committed this crime, but it should be noted that this is likely to be difficult given the circumstances,” prosecutor M. Jungvist said. “We are constantly working, turning heaven and earth and leaving nothing to chance,” he added.

Although no conclusions have been drawn, various theories have been put forward as to who blew up the pipelines and how.

Germany has confirmed that its investigators raided a ship in January that may have been used to transport explosives used to blow up pipelines. German media reports that the boat could have been used by a Ukrainian or pro-Ukrainian group.

“There is a lot of information and reports about sabotage against gas pipelines. The event appears to have become an arena for various attempts at influence,” Jungvist said in a statement.

“These assessments do not affect the ongoing investigation, which is based on facts and information obtained from analyses, investigations at the scene and cooperation with the authorities in Sweden and other countries,” the Swedish prosecutor said.

Source: APE-MPE, Reuters.