Hamburg prosecutors have closed an investigation into alleged sabotage of German corvettes at the Blohm+Voss shipyard, saying evidence was insufficient to charge suspects. Two men — a 38-year-old Romanian and a 55-year-old Greek — were detained in February and released in March after arrest warrants were lifted. Allegations included more than 20 kg of abrasive grit in an engine, punctured water lines and disabled electronics on the corvette Köln. German counterintelligence has flagged Russian-linked espionage and tightened laws this year targeting so-called "disposable agents."
Germany Drops Probe Into Alleged Sabotage Of Corvettes After Evidence Shortfall
FILE PHOTO - The corvette "Emden" is seen in the harbour in Hamburg. Two men have been arrested. They are accused of attempted sabotage of a ship. Searches were carried out in several countries. (is associated with: «Germany drops probe into sabotage of naval vessel for lack of evidence») Philip Dulian/dpa
Hamburg prosecutors announced on Tuesday that they have closed a criminal investigation into suspected sabotage of German corvettes at the Blohm+Voss shipyard, citing insufficient evidence to bring charges.
Mia Sperling-Karstens, a spokeswoman for the prosecutors, said investigators remain convinced that the vessels were deliberately tampered with but could not determine "with the degree of certainty required to justify bringing charges" which of the two suspects carried out the acts.
Two men — a 38-year-old Romanian and a 55-year-old Greek — were arrested in early February (one in Hamburg and one in Greece) and released in March after their arrest warrants were lifted. Prosecutors had accused them of sabotaging several corvettes while working at the Blohm+Voss shipyard last year.
Allegations included pouring more than 20 kilograms of abrasive blasting grit into an engine block, puncturing fresh-water supply lines, removing fuel-tank caps and disabling circuit breakers that power electronics on the corvette Köln. Investigators say the tampering posed significant risks to the vessels' safety and operations.
Despite the serious allegations, prosecutors said they lacked the specific evidence needed to prove which individual committed the acts in court.
It remains unclear who ordered or directed the tampering. Germany's Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) has flagged espionage and sabotage activity linked to Russia in its latest annual report and warned that the armed forces are among the institutions most at risk.
In January, lawmakers tightened rules targeting so-called "disposable agents" — untrained individuals recruited (often via social media) and paid small sums to carry out sabotage before being discarded by those who hired them.
Prosecutors said the investigation closure does not rule out that tampering occurred; it reflects the legal standard of proof required to bring criminal charges. Authorities say vigilance and protective measures around military infrastructure will continue.
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