Suspicion of sabotage
Finland is investigating seven sailors after damage to a Baltic Sea cable
Who damaged the submarine cable between Finland and Estonia in the Baltic Sea? Investigators have suspicions. The tracks point to a ship from the Russian shadow fleet.
After the alleged sabotage of an underwater cable in the Baltic Sea, the Finnish police say they have opened an investigation against seven sailors from the tanker “Eagle S”, which was launched in Russia. The investigators explained on Tuesday that those affected were listed as suspects and were banned from leaving the country.
Damage was discovered on the Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day. The Finnish authorities suspect that the anchor of the oil tanker “Eagle S”, which took off from St. Petersburg in Russia, damaged the cable running at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Finland therefore stopped the tanker, escorted it into Finnish waters and confiscated it. On Monday, investigators said they discovered a drag mark on the seabed that was dozens of kilometers long.
The Finnish authorities are investigating the case on suspicion of sabotage. Regarding the investigations that have now been opened, Elina Katajamäki from the Finnish Attorney General’s Office explained that the ban on leaving the country is intended to ensure that the suspects remain within reach of the investigators and that the investigations are not hindered. Investigations could also be started against other people.
Russian shadow fleet causes unrest in the Baltic Sea
According to the police, on Tuesday the investigators continued their work, which had previously been interrupted due to unfavorable weather conditions. The crew of the “Eagle S” has now been questioned.
According to the Finnish customs authorities, the ship belongs to the so-called Russian shadow fleet, which Russia uses to circumvent the oil embargo imposed two years ago in the wake of the war in Ukraine. For the shadow fleet, Russia uses foreign-flagged tankers to export crude oil and oil products despite international sanctions.
Since the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, several components of the telecommunications infrastructure in the Baltic Sea have already been damaged. Experts assume that this is due to hybrid attacks by Russia against the West.
Hybrid attacks refer to covert attacks by state or non-state actors that often cannot be solved.
AFP
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Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
