German authorities have arrested two workers suspected of deliberately sabotaging several naval warships at Hamburg harbour in 2025, in what investigators describe as a potentially serious threat to military assets and operational safety.
The arrests were confirmed by the prosecutor general’s office on Tuesday, following an extensive cross-border investigation involving German and Greek security agencies.
The suspects, identified as a 37-year-old Romanian national and a 54-year-old Greek national, are alleged to have carried out acts of deliberate interference while working aboard German naval vessels.
Investigators revealed that the men reportedly poured more than 20 kilogrammes of steel pellets into an engine block, punctured freshwater supply lines, removed caps from fuel tanks, and disabled fuses within onboard electronic systems.
Authorities stated that the extent of the tampering posed a substantial risk of severe mechanical failure and potential safety hazards had the actions gone unnoticed.
The sabotage attempt was uncovered during routine pre-departure inspections as the naval corvette Emden was being prepared for its maiden voyage to the northern port city of Kiel.
Officials emphasised that the discovery prevented what could have resulted in significant operational damage and costly repairs, while also averting possible risks to crew members and naval infrastructure.
The suspects were apprehended in separate operations, with one arrest taking place in Hamburg and the other in a village in northern Greece.
Law enforcement agencies conducted coordinated searches at multiple locations linked to the suspects, including residences in Hamburg, Romania and Greece.
Greek police officials confirmed that the older suspect was taken into custody during an early morning operation at his home after German authorities issued a European arrest warrant.
During the search of the Greek suspect’s residence, authorities reportedly seized six mobile telephones, three USB storage devices, a SIM card, a computer hard drive and documentation linked to nineteen bank accounts, all of which are now being examined as part of the ongoing investigation. Security officials are working to determine whether the suspects acted independently or as part of a wider network.
Court records in Greece revealed that both men had previously been assigned painting duties aboard another German naval corvette, the Koeln, in June 2025. During that assignment, investigators allege that the men manually shut down a control panel, cutting off power supply to the vessel and creating conditions that could have triggered a fire outbreak.
German prosecutors have stated that investigations remain active as authorities continue to examine the full scope of the alleged sabotage, its possible motives and any potential links to external actors.