German police conducted searches on Wednesday as part of an investigation into allegations that Russia's sale of Gazprom's Berlin-based subsidiary was intended to sabotage Germany's gas supply. The probe focuses on the period following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when the state-controlled energy giant sold its subsidiary Gazprom Germania.
Opaque Ownership Transfer Raises Alarm
An opaque transfer of ownership triggered alarm within the German government, which subsequently took temporary control of the subsidiary. Gazprom Germania held at least 25 percent of Germany's natural gas storage capacity at the time. German prosecutors charge that when ownership was transferred, “a Moscow-based company with no ties to the industry appeared as the new owner,” who then “immediately... ordered the liquidation of Gazprom Germania.”
“There is suspicion that the sale and liquidation were intended to impair the gas supply in Germany,” the prosecutors stated.
Searches in Berlin and Frankfurt
On Wednesday, police searched premises in Berlin belonging to a Russian suspect, as well as a company in Frankfurt, in connection with the alleged sabotage attempt. “The suspect — a Russian national — is alleged to have supported the implementation of the liquidation resolution with this aim in mind,” prosecutors said.
Government Intervention and Nationalization
In 2022, Germany's then economy minister Robert Habeck explained that the government intervened due to the “unclear” legal structure behind Gazprom Germania and the parent firm's failure to comply with obligations to inform German authorities of ownership changes. Under German law, the government has the right to examine transactions involving non-EU firms deemed systemically relevant.
In November 2022, Germany announced the full nationalization of Gazprom Germania, citing its systemic importance for the national power supply. The company is now known as Securing Energy for Europe GmbH.
Broader Context of Hybrid Threats
In recent months, Germany has made several arrests of alleged spies for Russia. This month, Germany opened the Joint Center for Countering Hybrid Threats, aimed at coordinating efforts by security agencies against espionage, disinformation, and sabotage blamed on Russia and other hostile powers.
