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NBI suspects Eagle S officers in cable damage incident

Three suspects remain under a travel ban.

The Eagle S oil tanker at sea.
The oil tanker Eagle S pictured off the coast of Porvoo in January. Image: Juha Kivioja / Yle
  • Yle News

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has completed its preliminary investigation into an oil tanker's involvement in the cable breaks in the Gulf of Finland last Christmas.

The NBI on Friday said it suspects three individuals of crimes related to the incident.

The police said the Eagle S damaged its anchor chain by dragging one electrical cable and several data cables on Christmas Day.

Senior Eagle S officers are suspected of aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with telecommunications, according to the NBI.

"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," Detective Chief Inspector Sami Liimatainen, who is heading the investigation, said in a statement on Friday.

All three suspects deny any involvement in the alleged crimes.

Last December, Finnish authorities took control of the Eagle S in an exceptional operation, when the Border Guard and police units boarded the vessel.

The Eagle S is suspected of damaging the Estlink 2 power cable and four telecommunication cables between Finland and Estonia by dragging its anchor for more than 100km.

The Eagle S was seized during the investigation. The ship left Finland in March.

The case will now proceed to the Office of the Prosecutor General for consideration of charges.