Finland Tanker Crew Charged Over Undersea Cable Damage
Finnish prosecutors have charged the captain and two officers of the oil tanker Eagle S with aggravated criminal mischief and interference with communications after allegedly severing five critical undersea cables in the Gulf of Finland last December.
Investigators believe the crew dragged the ship’s anchor for miles, causing an estimated €60 million ($70M) in damages and disrupting vital energy and telecom links. The Eagle S, tied to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” was seized in December en route from Russia to Egypt and released in March.
The accused deny the charges, and Russia denies any sabotage role.