Sweden rejects Russian request to share Nord Stream leaks probe findings

Stockholm, Oct 11 (IANS) Sweden will not share the findings of the crime scene investigation with Russia following the blasts that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipes two weeks ago, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has said, citing confidentiality."In Sweden, we have pre-trial confidentiality. We are working on exactly how we formulate our answer," Swedish Television (SVT) quoted Andersson as responding to the Russian request, Xinhua news agency reported."This is an exceptional event," Andersson told journalists on one of the Swedish Coast Guard's vessels in the port of Karlskrona not far from the leak sites.Last week, the Coast Guard cordoned off an area surrounding two of the leaks for a crime scene investigation and the Navy dispatched at least one vessel capable of conducting underwater probes.The four leaks -- two in Sweden's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and two in the Denmark's EEZ -- had occurred within a short distance from each other and within a short time, sparking suspicions of sabotage.An analysis of seismic activity in the area also revealed a seismic signature corresponding to explosions.On Thursday, the Swedish Secret Service said that the investigation had strengthened the suspicion that it was an act of gross sabotage.The pipelines were built to transport gas from Russia to Germany, and Russia has expressed interest in participating in the investigations concerning the leaks.
--IANS int/shs

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