Bulgarian Ship “Vezhen” Detained in sweden Over Baltic Sea Cable Damage: A Deep Dive into the Controversy
the detention of the Bulgarian cargo ship Vezhen by Swedish authorities has sparked international attention, raising questions about sabotage, maritime safety, and geopolitical tensions. The incident, which occurred in the Baltic Sea, revolves around the alleged damage too an underwater fiber optic cable connecting Latvia and Sweden’s Gotland island. While investigations are ongoing, Bulgarian officials have vehemently denied any involvement in sabotage, emphasizing the need for caution and diplomacy.
The Incident: What Happened?
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On January 26, 2025, the vezhen was detained by the Swedish Coast Guard after reports surfaced of damage to a critical underwater cable. According to Plamen Tonchev, chairman of Bulgaria’s State Agency for National Security (SANS), the ship had reported an anchor leakage to Maltese authorities before continuing its journey. Though, it was intercepted approximately 10 hours later.
Tonchev stated, “After the Vezhen ship established the leakage of the anchor, it notified the Maltese authorities and continued its journey.” The ship was detained around 4:30 PM, marking the begining of a complex inquiry.
Sabotage Allegations and Investigations
The Swedish prosecutor’s office has launched a preliminary investigation into the incident, citing suspicions of sabotage under aggravating circumstances.Authorities are examining whether the damage to the cable was intentional or accidental.
Tonchev emphasized that there is currently no evidence supporting the sabotage hypothesis. “There are currently no evidence that is in favor of a derived hypothesis for sabotage of the Bulgarian ship ‘Vezhen’ in Swedish waters, but it continues to work on all versions,” he told Bulgarian deputies.
SANS is collaborating with NATO partners, including Sweden and Latvia, to conduct a thorough investigation. This includes scrutinizing the ship’s crew, all of whom are Bulgarian citizens.Tonchev revealed that only one crew member had a prior conviction—a 2010 DUI charge—but was rehabilitated in 2013.
Geopolitical Implications
The incident has raised concerns about potential geopolitical tensions, especially given the involvement of NATO member states. Tonchev noted that,in addition to the Latvian cable,othre interrupted cables were located in a country hostile to NATO.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev urged against politicizing the case, stating, “I want to calm anyone who is worried that Bulgaria is not considered in any way by our partners and allies as involved in sabotage or sabotage activity.” He emphasized that Bulgarian citizens were not detained or charged, and the country’s image remains untarnished.
The european Parliament Weighs In
The case was also discussed behind closed doors at the European Parliament’s Security and Defense committee. Bulgarian MEP Andrei Novakov suggested that third parties, rather than the Vezhen crew, might be responsible for the damage.
“Part of the data seem quite disturbing, and we need answers very soon to prevent a stain on Bulgaria and Bulgarian crew,” Novakov saeid. He speculated that the ship’s behavior, such as passing over the cable twice with a low anchor, was unusual for a vessel of its age and capabilities.
Novakov also hinted at a possible connection to Russian ports, stating, “The common denominator in almost all these cases is sailing from a Russian port of different types of ships. I do not exclude on board these ships that they were not just crews and that sabotage happened without them knowing.”
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Ship Involved | bulgarian cargo ship vezhen |
| Incident Date | January 26, 2025 |
| Location | Baltic Sea, near Sweden’s Gotland island |
| Allegation | Damage to underwater fiber optic cable connecting Latvia and Sweden |
| Investigation Status | Preliminary investigation for sabotage under aggravating circumstances |
| Crew Details | Eight Bulgarian citizens; no negative facts except one prior DUI |
| Geopolitical Context | NATO involvement; cables in hostile country also interrupted |
Moving Forward
As investigations continue, Bulgarian officials remain committed to transparency and cooperation. Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev has assured that consular support is in place for the crew, who are in contact with their families and free to move within the ship.
The Vezhen case underscores the complexities of maritime security in an increasingly interconnected world. While questions remain, one thing is clear: the incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between national security, international diplomacy, and the unpredictable nature of the seas.
For further updates on this developing story, stay tuned to reliable news sources and official statements from Bulgarian and Swedish authorities.
Interview: Insights into the Vezhen Incident in Gotland
Editor: The Vezhen incident has sparked significant attention. Can you provide an overview of what transpired on January 26,2025,near Sweden’s Gotland island?
guest: Certainly. On january 26, 2025, the Bulgarian cargo ship Vezhen was detained by the Swedish Coast Guard following reports of damage to a critical underwater cable in the Baltic Sea. The ship had reported an anchor leakage to Maltese authorities earlier but was intercepted approximately 10 hours later. Gotland, being a strategic location, has made this incident particularly noteworthy.
Editor: What are the current allegations and the status of the investigation?
Guest: The Swedish prosecutor’s office has initiated a preliminary investigation into suspicions of sabotage under aggravating circumstances. Authorities are analyzing whether the cable damage was intentional or accidental. Plamen Tonchev, chairman of Bulgaria’s State Agency for National Security (SANS), has stated there is no evidence supporting the sabotage hypothesis. However, all possibilities are being explored, with SANS collaborating with NATO partners, including Sweden and Latvia, to conduct a thorough inquiry.
Editor: What are the geopolitical implications of this incident?
Guest: This incident has raised concerns about potential tensions within NATO,given the involvement of member states like Sweden and Latvia. Interestingly, Tonchev noted that, in addition to the Latvian cable, other interrupted cables were located in a country antagonistic to NATO. Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev has urged against politicizing the case, emphasizing that Bulgaria is not considered involved in any sabotage activities by its allies.
Editor: How has the European Parliament responded to the incident?
Guest: The case was discussed behind closed doors at the European Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee. Bulgarian MEP Andrei Novakov suggested that third parties might be responsible for the damage. He pointed out unusual behavior by the Vezhen, such as passing over the cable twice with a low anchor, and hinted at a possible connection to Russian ports. Novakov stressed the need for swift answers to prevent any negative impact on Bulgaria’s reputation.
Editor: What are the key details about the crew involved?
Guest: The crew consists of eight Bulgarian citizens. Only one member had a prior conviction—a 2010 DUI charge, for which they were rehabilitated in 2013. There are no other negative findings against them, and they are currently free to move within the ship while receiving consular support from bulgarian authorities.
Editor: How is Bulgaria responding to the ongoing investigation?
Guest: Bulgarian officials are committed to openness and cooperation. Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev has assured that consular support is in place for the crew, and they remain in contact with their families. The incident highlights the complexities of maritime security in an interconnected world, and Bulgaria is focused on resolving the matter diplomatically.
Conclusion
The Vezhen incident underscores the delicate balance between national security, international diplomacy, and maritime operations. While investigations continue, bulgarian authorities remain dedicated to collaboration and transparency, ensuring that the matter is resolved without escalating geopolitical tensions. For further updates, it’s essential to rely on official statements from Bulgarian and Swedish authorities.
