National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) launched criminal investigation on Tuesday, October 10 into a possibly intentional damaging of gas pipeline as aggravated criminal mischief.
The damaged gas pipeline known as Balticconnector is located in Finland's exclusive economic zone. Yesterday NBI started crime scene examination of the location of the leak and securing evidence. Crime scene examination continues.
NBI sent Estonian authorities a European Investigation Order, and close cooperation in criminal investigation started. The Estonian authorities investigate the fault in the telecommunications cable that was identified at about the same time. The damage is believed to be in Estonia's exclusive economic zone. NBI's investigations aim at finding out the course of events, whether the damage was caused by external actions and whether it was intentional.
At this stage the criminal investigation focuses on the examination of the damage and the scene. Underwater events and marine traffic relating to the time of incident are also explored. Further information is requested from national and international partners. Examination and analysis of the material are still in an early stage.
At this point, we can however state that in the vicinity of the leak of the gas pipeline, traces have been detected in the seabed.
Besides national cooperation NBI conducts close cooperation with Estonian authorities.
The Police will inform further on the case as the investigation proceeds.
