Hamburg prosecutors have dropped their case against two shipyard workers accused of sabotaging German navy corvettes at the Blohm+Voss shipyard, citing insufficient evidence to determine which suspect carried out the alleged acts. The decision ends proceedings against a 38-year-old Romanian and a 55-year-old Greek national arrested in February 2026.
Prosecutors confirmed that manipulations did occur on the vessels, including the dumping of more than 20 kilograms of blasting grit into an engine block, punctured water lines, and the deactivation of electrical switches on the corvette Köln. However, investigators could not establish with the certainty required for indictment which man was responsible. Both suspects were released in March after arrest warrants were lifted.
The case emerged against a backdrop of heightened concern over Russian-directed sabotage across Europe. Germany's MAD military intelligence agency warned of espionage and sabotage from Russia, and authorities have linked a broader European sabotage campaign to structures directed by the GRU military intelligence service. The Greek suspect's lawyer has announced plans to seek compensation.