An investigation found no evidence linking the vessel to the incident.
Norwegian authorities have released the Silver Dania, a Russian-crewed vessel detained on Friday under suspicion of damaging an undersea optical cable in the Baltic Sea. According to a statement issued Friday evening, the investigation revealed no evidence connecting the ship to the incident, as reported by AP.
The ship, owned by Norwegian company Silver Sea, was traveling from St. Petersburg to Murmansk, north of the Arctic Circle, when it was intercepted by the Norwegian Coast Guard. The vessel was escorted to Tromsø for inspection following a request from Latvian authorities and a ruling from a Norwegian court.
“The Tromsø District Police conducted several investigative measures and secured what was deemed necessary based on Latvia’s request. The investigation will continue, but we see no reason to keep the vessel in port any longer,” said prosecutor Ronny Jørgensen.
Earlier, Norwegian authorities had suspected the ship of causing serious damage to an optical cable connecting Latvia to Sweden’s Gotland Island. While declining to provide further details, police confirmed that the vessel had been searched and witnesses interviewed.
Silver Sea, the Norwegian owner of Silver Dania, denied any involvement in damaging the cable. “We were sailing near Gotland but did not drop anchor,” the company stated, adding that they had cooperated fully with authorities. The ship was not carrying cargo, and its route data showed no irregularities.
On January 26, Sweden and Latvia reported damage to an optical cable operated by Latvia’s State Radio and Television Center (LVRTC), which links Gotland to the Latvian port city of Ventspils. That same day, Swedish authorities detained the Vežen, a Bulgarian-flagged ship registered in Malta. Prosecutors immediately launched an investigation into the incident, treating it as a case of severe sabotage.
