German prosecutors are investigating a Russian national suspected of helping to orchestrate the transfer and planned liquidation of Gazprom Germania in March 2022 — a move that could have disrupted at least 25% of Germany's gas storage capacity. Searches were carried out in Berlin and Frankfurt, but no arrests were made. The Economy Ministry blocked the liquidation by appointing the Federal Network Agency as trustee; the firm was nationalized as SEFE in November 2022. Under EU conditions, the state must shrink its stake to 25% plus one share by 2028.
Germany Raids As Prosecutors Probe Suspected Russian-Linked Plot To Sabotage Gas Supply
FILE PHOTO - The logo of Gazprom Germania GmbH, former subsidiary of Gazprom Export of the Russian gas supplier Gazprom, is displayed on the facade of the Gazprom Germania headquarters. (is associated with: «Suspected Russian-linked gas-supply sabotage prompts raids in Germany») Fernando Gutierrez-Juarez/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
German federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into a Russian national suspected of attempting to sabotage Germany's gas supply following the start of Russia's war on Ukraine. Searches were carried out this week at addresses in Berlin and at a company in Frankfurt; no arrests were made, authorities said.
Investigation And Allegations
The Customs Criminal Investigation Office is leading the inquiry at the direction of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office. Prosecutors say the March 2022 transfer of former Gazprom subsidiary Gazprom Germania GmbH to a Moscow-based company — and the acquirer's immediate plan to liquidate the firm without required German approval — were intended to disrupt Germany's gas supplies.
The Russian national under investigation is accused of supporting that planned liquidation and is being probed for aiding and abetting attempted sabotage against the constitutional order and for violations of the Foreign Trade and Payments Act. Authorities say Gazprom Germania controlled at least a quarter of Germany's gas storage capacity when the takeover and liquidation plan were announced, a move that could have significantly worsened supply pressures during a critical period.
Government Response And Outcome
The Economy Ministry prevented the dissolution by appointing the Federal Network Agency as temporary trustee. Then-Economy Minister Robert Habeck said the ministry had identified an "indirect acquisition" of Gazprom Germania by two Moscow-linked firms and stressed that any acquisition of critical infrastructure by a non-EU investor required prior approval.
"A liquidation would result in the end of the legal existence of Gazprom Germania," Habeck warned in April 2022, prompting the state intervention.
Gazprom Germania was later renamed Securing Energy for Europe (SEFE) and nationalized by the German government in November 2022 to avert a looming insolvency that threatened security of supply. Under an EU condition tied to that rescue, the government must reduce its current 100% stake to no more than 25% plus one share by 2028.
A SEFE spokesman told dpa that the current probe does not directly concern SEFE and that the company has not been named as a suspect; as the case is ongoing, SEFE declined further comment.
Implications
The case highlights the strategic risks posed by ownership changes in critical energy infrastructure during geopolitical crises and underscores why early government oversight is considered essential for energy security.
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