A Finnish court has dismissed charges against a ship’s master and two crew members accused of damaging underwater communication cables in December 2024. The case involved allegations that the vessel’s anchor dragged for several kilometres, causing significant harm to energy and communication infrastructure. However, the court ruled that the incident did not meet the legal criteria for criminal mischief or aggravated interference under Finnish law.
The Incident and Charges
The vessel, sailing under a foreign flag, was suspected of damaging multiple cables while operating in Finland’s exclusive economic zone. Finnish prosecutors argued that the anchor had dragged for nearly 90 kilometres, cutting five cables, and charged the master and officers with aggravated criminal mischief and interference with communications. They claimed the crew had neglected their duties, knowing that the anchor’s windlass was in poor condition.
Despite this, the court noted that the alleged act took place in international waters and that there was no evidence suggesting intentional damage. The prosecution’s case was based on negligence rather than deliberate wrongdoing.
Court’s Ruling and Jurisdictional Issues
The Helsinki District Court ruled that the incident did not cause sufficient disruption to Finland’s energy or communication systems to qualify as criminal mischief. It further held that any negligence on board should be addressed by the vessel’s flag state or the crew’s home countries, as the matter fell outside Finnish jurisdiction.
The court’s decision also highlighted the complex nature of maritime law, especially when incidents occur in international waters but affect national interests. Importantly, the ruling is not yet final and could still be appealed.
The dismissal of the case underscores the challenges of applying national laws to incidents in international maritime zones. While prosecutors sought accountability for the cable damage, the court concluded that Finnish jurisdiction did not extend to this case. The final outcome will depend on whether the decision is appealed, but for now, the crew members have been cleared of all charges.
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Source: Llyod’s List
