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Hamburg Prosecutors Lift Arrest Warrants in German Navy Corvette Sabotage Probe

Prosecutors cite a reconstruction that failed to identify the perpetrator, ending the urgent suspicion required for detention.

Overview

  • The 37-year-old Romanian and 54-year-old Greek, arrested in February in Hamburg and Greece, were released after their detention orders were revoked.
  • Investigators still judge it highly likely that one of the two intentionally switched off powered components on the corvette Köln on June 26, 2025.
  • A reconstruction could not determine which suspect acted and no longer supports a theory of joint perpetratorship, removing the legal basis for custody.
  • Prosecutors also allege other manipulations on several corvettes, including adding over 20 kilograms of blasting grit to an engine, damaging freshwater lines, removing tank caps, and disabling electronic circuit breakers.
  • All suspected acts were detected before damage occurred, officials say the manipulations could have caused severe damage or a fire, and the internationally coordinated inquiry with Eurojust continues without any identified motive or commissioning party.