The National Bureau of Investigation continues cooperation with Chinese authorities in the investigation into the damaged Balticconnector gas pipeline. Information about any investigative measures taken by the authorities of China and Hong Kong is, however, provided by the competent authorities themselves.
The criminal investigation into the damaged Balticconnector gas pipeline is ongoing at the National Bureau of Investigation. The Finnish and Estonian authorities established a joint investigation team to investigate the case. The investigation has been carried out since the beginning within the joint investigation team together with Estonian law enforcement authorities. As the flag State of the ship concerned is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, cooperation has also been carried out with the authorities of China.
– Our cooperation based on mutual legal assistance has included several meetings and exchange of information between the parties involved. However, information on any investigative measures taken by the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities is provided by the competent authorities themselves, says Detective Superintendent Risto Lohi of the National Bureau of Investigation.
The Balticconnector gas pipeline was damaged in the Gulf of Finland on 8 October 2023. On the basis of the criminal investigation, the damage was caused by the anchor of the vessel Newnew Polar Bear flying the flag of Hong Kong.
