Germany charges Russian citizen with sabotage over scheme to disrupt gas supplies via Gazprom subsidiary

German prosecutors have conducted searches as part of an investigation into a suspected attempt to disrupt gas supplies to the country during a change of ownership at Gazprom Germania, a former subsidiary of Gazprom, the Associated Press reported. The main suspect is a Russian citizen accused of violating investment regulations and aiding an attempted unconstitutional act of sabotage. According to investigators, weeks after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Gazprom announced its withdrawal from Gazprom Germania. The buyer of its stake then attempted to liquidate the company. Prosecutors believe this move was intended to disrupt gas supplies to Germany, a key ally of Ukraine. The liquidation was blocked pending final approval, and the company was placed under temporary state management before being nationalized. Before the war, Russian gas accounted for about 55% of Germany's gas market. The former Gazprom Germania now operates under the name Securing Energy for Europe, and authorities plan to privatize the company in 2028.