The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) completed its criminal investigation into the damage caused to cables in the Gulf of Finland on 25 December 2024, said NBI in a press release on Friday.
Based on the investigation, senior officers of the tanker Eagle S are suspected of aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with telecommunications.
The investigation focused on the possible involvement of the tanker Eagle S, flying the flag of the Cook Islands, which was present in the area at the time the cables were damaged.
As a result of the investigative measures carried out during the criminal investigation, the police have a clear understanding of the sequence of events.
“Among the suspects are the master, the chief mate and the second mate, who were responsible for the safe passage, navigation and operation of the vessel, said Head of Investigation, Detective Chief Inspector of NBI Sami Liimatainen.
The criminal investigation examined and assessed the extent of their responsibility for the condition of the vessel and the degree to which they should have observed the anchor falling into the sea, Liimatainen added.
The investigation involved close cooperation with both national and international authorities to establish the course of events.
The case will next be referred to the Office of the Prosecutor General for consideration of charges.
Earlier on January 6, anchor of the Eagle S has been recovered from the Gulf of Finland.
On December 31, 2024, seven staff members of tanker Eagle S whose status in the criminal investigation is that of a suspect have been subjected to a travel ban.
Police on December 28, transferred the Eagle S tanker, the suspect of Estlink 2 submarine cable damage from the Gulf of Finland to the Svartbeck inner anchorage near Porvoo.
Finnish authorities suspected the Eagle S, a tanker registered in the Cook Islands for its involvement in the rupture of the Estlink 2 submarine power transmission cable between Finland and Estonia on December 25.
The electricity transmission cable has been cut in the sea area in Finland's exclusive economic zone in the Gulf of Finland, about 55 km south of Loviisa.
- Eagle S
- Charges
- Cable damage
- Gulf of Finland
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
