Finnish Court Rules Lack of Jurisdiction Over Russian Oil Tanker Case
A Finnish court has ruled that it lacks jurisdiction to prosecute the oil tanker Eagle S, accused of cutting undersea cables linking Estonia and Finland in the Baltic Sea in late 2024. As a result, the charges brought against the sailors were not considered, and the authorities are ordered to pay the €195,000 ($228,876) legal fees for the accused sailors.
The Helsinki District Court’s decision was based on the argument that despite the investigations being held in Finnish territorial waters, the alleged crime took place in Finland’s exclusive economic zone. This raised the issue of jurisdiction surrounding maritime activities. The court’s ruling is a significant development in the case, which has sparked international condemnation and led to increased maritime patrols and sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet.
Eagle S Crew Members Face No Charges
Prior to the decision, prosecutors sought a minimum prison sentence of 2.5 years for Eagle S captain Davit Vadatchkor and crew members Robert Egizaryan and Santosh Kumar Chaurasia for their “aggravated vandalism and aggravated interference with telecommunications” when they damaged the cable by dragging the vessel’s anchor across the sea floor. However, the court’s ruling means that the crew members will face no charges in connection with the incident.
The investigation suggests that the anchor fell due to poor maintenance of the vessel, with prosecutors arguing that the crew and captain should be held responsible for their negligence. However, the case does not mention Moscow, despite initial suspicions that it was an act of Russian sabotage.
Background on the Eagle S Incident
On December 25, 2024, the oil tanker Eagle S, after departing from a Russian port, reportedly dragged its anchor across the seabed in the Gulf of Finland, cutting several undersea cables – including the Estlink-2 power cable between Finland and Estonia and multiple telecommunications cables. Finnish authorities seized the vessel three days later and barred it from sailing, citing shortcomings in the vessel’s safety management system.
Authorities later found trails extending tens of kilometers on the seabed along the ship’s route, suggesting that the vessel was hauling an anchor along the seabed. In January, Finnish authorities detained two Georgian nationals – including the captain – on board the ship. The incident has led to condemnation from Europe, with some accusing Moscow of deliberate sabotage, which has ultimately prompted European nations to step up maritime patrols and impose sanctions on Russia’s shadow fleet of vessels.
Original Article: Finnish Court Rules Lack of Jurisdiction Over Russian Oil Tanker Case — Kyivpost