“German investigators suspect Poland of sabotaging the investigation into the attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The former president of the BND in an interview with “Welt am Sonntag” accused the neighboring country (Poland) of complicity. The Polish security advisor the president (Andrew Duda) rejected the allegations and speaks of a pro-Russian campaign” – we read on Saturday in the online edition of the daily “Die Welt”. The paper version of the article will appear in the Sunday edition newspapers – “World on Earth”.
The authors reminded that until attack the gas pipeline was attacked almost two years ago. As a result of the explosion, three of the four strands of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines were damaged. “Who was the perpetrator?” – asks the editorial team, noting that Germany is the only country continuing the investigation into the attack.
German authorities claim to have solved the mystery – the main accused is a Ukrainian – diving instructor Volodymyr S., who has recently been living near Warsaw. Together with five other Ukrainians, he was supposed to have carried out the attack and recently fled to his home country.
German investigators criticize Poland – sabotage?
“German investigators accuse Poland of failing to execute the European Arrest Warrant against S., together with a search warrant, issued in June by the Federal Court (German Supreme Court – ed.). The German federal police, the German Office for Combating Crime (BKA) and the federal prosecutor's office have huge complaints,” write journalists from “Die Welt”.
An official familiar with the investigation files made a serious accusation against Poland – “Poland sabotaged the clarification of the case”. It refers to “thwarting the prosecution of the crime”.
The former president of the German foreign intelligence agency BND – August Hannig repeated his earlier accusation against Poland in an interview with the editorial office – “The Polish government apparently allowed him to escape in order to cover up its own involvement in the gas pipeline attack.” Hannig is convinced that the presidents of Poland and Ukraine were informed of the attack. “Operations on such a scale without the political acceptance of the top participating countries are unimaginable,” Hennig said.
Sources in German investigative circles claim that a six-person team of divers trained in Poland. Polish authorities were also supposed to provide logistical support for the underwater operation.
Severa rejects accusations – insinuations by pro-Russian officials?
Poles are outraged by German accusations – we read in the portal “Die Welt”. The editorial office quotes Jacek Siewiera, head of the National Security Bureau – “The claim that Ukraine carried out this action with Polish knowledge has no basis”. According to Siewiera, the authors of the accusations and insinuations are “private individuals from a narrow circle of former pro-Russian officials who no longer hold any offices”.
“I hope that we are not dealing here with an organized disinformation campaign in which some people were used to blame Poland,” said the head of the National Security Bureau. In his opinion, one of the serious hypotheses being considered is still Russia's involvement in the attack.
“Die Welt” quotes a Ukrainian officer suspected of participating in the attack: “The claims that it was us (who did it) are ridiculous, but if Ukraine is behind this attack, then Germany should suspend the investigation, because for Ukraine it was a legitimate military target.”
Ukraine accusations an argument against increasing aid?
According to the authors, German authorities are unhappy about leaks regarding the investigation. Federal prosecutor Jens Rommel is angry about the leak to the public of important details, including suspicions against Ukrainian diving instructors, as well as an arrest warrant.
CDU MP Roderich Kiesewetter pointed out that information about Ukraine's responsibility for the attack on the gas pipeline appeared several days before the German government's announcement. government about the lack of funds to increase military aid for the Ukrainian army. “The message was to be: Ukraine cannot be trusted, therefore we will not give more money. Suspicion was to be deliberately directed at Ukraine, in order to have an argument for reducing support,” Kiesewetter believes. The CDU MP is one of the most determined supporters of military aid for Ukraine.
“All perpetrators, helpers and principals were warned long ago and probably went into hiding. The chances of finding out who was behind the attack are slim,” the authors write in their conclusion.
The article comes from the website German Welle