German Navy Ships Targeted in Coordinated Sabotage Attempt

A cross-border investigation coordinated by Eurojust has led to the arrest of two suspects accused of attempting to sabotage German Navy vessels under construction in 2025.

The operation, carried out simultaneously in Germany and Greece with judicial actions extending to Romania, follows months of investigation into repeated incidents at naval shipbuilding facilities linked to the German Navy.

How the case moved beyond a national investigation

German prosecutors initially treated the incidents as isolated acts of damage inside a shipyard. As similarities between the incidents became clearer and cross-border links emerged, judicial authorities requested Eurojust’s involvement to coordinate evidence-sharing, legal procedures, and arrest warrants across multiple EU jurisdictions.

Eurojust facilitated communication between prosecutors and investigative judges, enabling synchronized actions that would not have been possible through bilateral channels alone.

Who the suspects are and where they were detained

According to Eurojust, the suspects are:

• A 37-year-old Romanian national
• A 54-year-old Greek national

One was detained in Hamburg, the other in northeastern Greece. Both are believed to have had authorised access to shipyard environments connected to the construction or maintenance of German naval vessels, a factor that significantly elevated the seriousness of the case.

What investigators believe was done to the ships

Judicial authorities suspect that the two men carried out deliberate, repeated interference with key ship systems. The acts under investigation include:

• Introducing abrasive material into engine components
• Damaging or manipulating freshwater and fuel systems
• Removing or loosening technical caps and fittings critical to propulsion
• Interfering with electronic and mechanical systems required for operational readiness

Investigators assessed that, if undetected, these actions could have resulted in severe engine damage, delayed deployment, or serious safety risks for naval personnel.

Searches carried out across three countries

Coordinated searches were conducted at multiple locations in Germany, Greece, and Romania. Authorities seized electronic devices, data carriers, and physical materials now undergoing forensic examination.

Eurojust confirmed that the investigation remains open, particularly regarding whether the suspects acted alone or were part of a wider structure or facilitation network.

Why the military nature of the targets matters

Although no attribution to a foreign state or organisation has been made, prosecutors are treating the case as a serious security offence. Naval shipyards are classified as critical military infrastructure, and any intentional interference carries implications well beyond property damage.

German authorities emphasised that the case concerns defence readiness and operational safety, not merely industrial sabotage.

Eurojust’s role in the operation

Eurojust did not conduct arrests but played a central role in:

• Aligning legal procedures across jurisdictions
• Enabling real-time judicial coordination
• Supporting the execution of arrests and searches under EU law

The agency described the case as a clear example of how EU-level judicial coordination functions when criminal activity spans multiple member states and involves sensitive national-security assets.