**Finnish Court Keeps Russian Tanker Seized**
The Helsinki District Court has ruled that a Russian oil tanker, the Eagle S, will remain under seizure. The court made this decision on January 3, denying an appeal by the ship’s owner to release it and its crew.
**Damage to Undersea Cable**
Finnish authorities claim that the Eagle S damaged an important underwater power cable, known as Estlink 2, which connects Estonia and Finland. This cable was severely damaged on December 25. The Finnish police are investigating this incident and have taken evidence from the tanker.
**Russia’s “Shadow Fleet”**
The Eagle S is believed to be part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” a group of tankers used by Moscow to avoid international sanctions, including a price cap on Russian oil. This move was made by the Group of Seven (G7) countries.
**Investigation and Court Ruling**
Finnish police seized the tanker on December 28 as part of their investigation into the alleged cable sabotage. The ship’s owner, Caravella LLC FZ from the United Arab Emirates, had requested that the seizure be lifted. However, the Helsinki District Court denied this request.
**Secrecy and Interrogations**
The court hearing was held in secret, with court documents kept confidential. Finnish investigators are currently questioning the crew members of the Eagle S about their alleged involvement in the incident. This initial phase of the investigation is expected to last several weeks, with the entire process concluding in several months.
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