German federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into suspected sabotage after discovering small holes drilled into a liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipeline under construction in northern Germany.

The investigation, confirmed by a spokeswoman for the Federal Public Prosecutor General to public broadcaster NDR, focuses on the "initial suspicion of anti-constitutional sabotage." Media reports indicate at least three 10-millimeter holes were found at various points along the 55-kilometer pipeline.

Gasunie, the company building the pipeline, first reported the holes, attributed to "external interference," to police in November. While stating repairs were underway, the company confirmed delays, with the expected operational date shifting from January to February.

"All defects have been identified and most of them have already been repaired," Gasunie announced on Thursday last week.

"We are expecting everything to be leak-proof because we have to put the lines into operation," a spokesperson, Philipp von Bergmann-Korn, told POLITICO, emphasizing that the project is important for Germany's energy supply.

The incident comes as Germany seeks to diversify its energy sources and decrease dependence on Russian gas imports, a move prompted by the Ukraine invasion. The specific motive behind the suspected sabotage remains unclear, though authorities are actively investigating.