Information obtained by Latvia’s state police currently does not indicate any connection between a vessel located in the port of Liepāja and the damage to an optical cable in the Baltic Sea.

Latvia’s state police received information that on January 2 an optical cable belonging to a private company was damaged in the Baltic Sea, near Liepāja, in the territorial waters of Latvia. An investigation into the circumstances was immediately launched.

The police reported that completed its work on the vessel that had initially been suspected of possible involvement in the cable damage.

It had inspected the vessel and questioned its crew, but had not found any connection with the incident.

As part of procedural actions in the case, police officers inspected the vessel and its anchor, examined technical equipment and logs, and questioned several individuals. The ship’s crew cooperated with the police and voluntarily provided all the necessary information required for the investigation, police said.

At the same time, the investigation continues, including efforts to determine how exactly the cable was damaged.

On Sunday evening, police officers together with the coast guard boarded the vessel, which is currently in the port of Liepāja. The vessel and its crew are cooperating with law enforcement authorities.

Neither the vessel nor its crew has been detained. Police said the crew is cooperating and that efforts to determine the circumstances of the incident are ongoing.

The incident continues to be investigated by the relevant authorities, and additional details are expected.

In connection with the incident, the state police opened a criminal case under an article of the Criminal Law. In the interests of the investigation, police declined to provide further comment.

The incident follows heightened concerns over the security of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

The prime minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa stated that an optical cable belonging to a private company was damaged in the Baltic Sea near Liepāja.

The incident has not affected consumers in Latvia, Siliņa wrote on X on January 4.

“I am in contact with the Crisis Management Center and the responsible services; the police have launched an investigation, and the inquiry is ongoing,” she added.