- Finland files charges against captain and two officers over Baltic cable damage.
- Incident allegedly involved anchor dragging for 90 km along the seabed.
- Defendants deny wrongdoing and challenge Finnish jurisdiction.
Finland’s national prosecutor’s office announced that charges have been brought against the captain and the first and second officers of an oil tanker. This follows the cutting of undersea cables in the Gulf of Finland back in December, reports Reuters.
Allegations and Nationalities
The individuals facing these charges hail from Georgia and India, and they are accused of aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications. Prosecutors allege that the incident occurred when the vessel dragged its anchor for approximately 90 km (56 miles) along the seabed.
The prosecutors have made it clear that the defendants are prohibited from leaving Finland. They maintain their innocence and argue that Finland lacks jurisdiction over the case since the incident took place outside of Finnish waters.
Cables and Damage Incurred
Finnish authorities have reported that the vessel, registered in the Cook Islands, caused damage to the Estlink 2 undersea power cable, which connects Finland and Estonia, as well as four internet lines.
“The owners of the cables have suffered a total of at least 60 million euros ($70 million) in immediate damage in the form of repair costs alone,” the prosecutors’ office said.
Security Concerns in the Baltic Sea
Right now, the Baltic Sea region is on high alert due to worries about potential sabotage, especially following a series of incidents that have disrupted power cables, gas pipelines, and telecom lines. While it’s true that subsea infrastructure can face technical glitches or accidents, prosecutors have highlighted that these incidents posed serious risks to energy supply and telecommunications in Finland. Fortunately, services managed to stay operational through alternative connections.
Jurisdiction Dispute
A lawyer representing the vessel’s owner, based in the United Arab Emirates, has previously claimed that Helsinki lacks the authority to step in on this issue. As of Monday, the lawyer had not yet responded to requests for comments.
Next Steps in Legal Proceedings
The prosecutors’ office has confirmed that a local court will soon schedule a hearing to decide whether the case falls under Finnish jurisdiction.
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Source: Reuters
