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Finland Seizes Ship Suspected of Damaging HelsinkiTallinn Undersea Cable

A criminal investigation led by the National Bureau of Investigation is underway following Elisa’s detection of damage that did not disrupt service.

Overview

  • Finnish border guard units located the vessel with its anchor chain deployed and directed it to anchor inside Finland’s territorial waters.
  • The affected subsea line belongs to Elisa and runs in Estonia’s exclusive economic zone between Helsinki and Tallinn.
  • Police opened a case for aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated obstruction of telecommunications.
  • Authorities are coordinating with Estonian and international partners, and Deputy Attorney General Jukka Rappe ordered a preliminary inquiry.
  • Yle, citing MarineTraffic, reported the vessel as the Fitburg sailing from Saint Petersburg under a Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag, a detail not officially confirmed, as President Alexander Stubb said Finland is prepared for security challenges.